Oklahoma Code § 36-3614.1

Title 36. Insurance: Genetic nondiscrimination in insurance
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
A.  This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Genetic
Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act".
B.  For purposes of the Genetic Nondiscrimination in Insurance
Act:
1.  "Accident and health insurance" means accident and health
insurance as defined in Section 703 of this title, but shall not
include disability income or long-term care insurance;
2.  “Family member” means, with respect to an individual, any
other individual who is a first-degree, second-degree, third-degree,
or fourth-degree relative of the individual;

3.  "Genetic information" means, with respect to any
individual, information about the genetic tests of an individual,
the genetic tests of family members of an individual, and the
manifestation of a disease or disorder in family members of the
individual.  Genetic information includes, but is not limited to,
with respect to any individual, any request for, or receipt of,
genetic services, or participation in clinical research which
includes genetic services, by an individual or any family member of
the individual.  Any reference to genetic information concerning an
individual or family member of an individual who is a pregnant
woman, includes genetic information of any fetus carried by a
pregnant woman, or with respect to an individual or family member
utilizing reproductive technology, includes genetic information of
any embryo legally held by an individual or family member.  Genetic
information shall not include information about the sex or age of
any individual;
4.  “Genetic services” mean a genetic test, genetic education,
or genetic counseling, including, but not limited to, obtaining,
interpreting, or assessing genetic information;
5.  "Genetic test" means an analysis of the human DNA, RNA,
chromosomes, proteins, or metabolites that detect genotypes,
mutations or chromosomal changes.  "Genetic test" shall not mean an
analysis of proteins or metabolites that does not detect genotypes,
mutations, or chromosomal changes or an analysis of proteins or
metabolites that is directly related to a manifested disease,
disorder, or pathological condition that could reasonably be
detected by a health care professional with appropriate training and
expertise in the field of medicine involved;
6.  "Insurer" means any individual, corporation, association,
partnership, insurance support organization, fraternal benefit
society, insurance producer, third-party administrator, self-
insurer, or any other legal entity engaged in the business of
insurance which is licensed to do business in or incorporated or
domesticated or domiciled in or under the statutes of this state, or
actually engaged in business in this state, regardless of where the
contract of insurance is written or plan is administered or where
the corporation is incorporated, that issues accident and health
policies or plans or that administers any other type of health
insurance policy containing medical provisions including, but not
limited to, any nonprofit hospital service and indemnity and medical
service and indemnity corporation, health maintenance organizations,
preferred provider organizations, prepaid health plans and the State
and Education Employees Group Health Insurance Plan.  Insurer shall
not include insurers issuing life, disability income, or long-term
care insurance;
7.  "Policy" or "policy form" means any policy, contract, plan
or agreement of accident and health insurance, or subscriber

certificates of medical care corporations, health care corporations,
hospital service associations, or health care maintenance
organizations, delivered or issued for delivery in this state by any
insurer; any certificate, contract or policy issued by a fraternal
benefit society; any certificate issued pursuant to a group
insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state; and
any evidence of coverage issued by a health maintenance
organization.  Policy or policy form shall not include life,
disability income, and long-term care insurance policies; and
8.  “Underwriting purposes” means:
a. rules for, or determination of, eligibility, including
but not limited to enrollment and continued
eligibility, for benefits under the policy,
b. the computation of premium or contribution amounts
under the policy,
c. the application of any preexisting condition exclusion
under the policy, and
d. other activities related to the creation, renewal, or
replacement of a contract of health insurance or
health benefits.
C.  No insurer offering an individual or group accident and
health insurance policy shall:
1.  Deny or condition the issuance or effectiveness of the
policy or certificate, including but not limited to the imposition
of any exclusion of benefits under the policy based on a preexisting
condition, on the basis of the genetic information with respect to
any individual; and
2.  Discriminate in the pricing of the policy or certificate,
including but not limited to the adjustment of premium rates, of an
individual on the basis of the genetic information with respect to
any individual.
D.  Nothing in subsection C of this section shall be construed
to limit the ability of an insurer, to the extent otherwise
permitted under this title, from:
1.  Denying or conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of the
policy or certificate or increasing the premium for a group on the
basis of manifestations of any condition, disease or disorder of an
insured or applicant; or
2.  Increasing the premium for any policy or certificate issued
to an individual based on the manifestation of a condition, disease
or disorder of an individual who is covered under the policy.  The
manifestation of a disease or disorder in one individual shall not
also be used as genetic information about other group members and to
further increase the premium for the group.
E.  An insurer shall not request or require an individual or a
family member of an individual to undergo a genetic test.

F.  Subsection E of this section shall not be construed to
preclude an insurer from obtaining and using the results of a
genetic test in making a determination regarding payment, as defined
for the purposes of applying the regulations promulgated under part
C of Title XI and Section 264 of the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act of 1996, as may be revised from time to time,
and consistent with subsection C of this section.
G.  In accordance with subsection F of this section, an insurer
may request only the minimum amount of information necessary to
accomplish the intended purpose.
H.  Notwithstanding subsection E of this section, an insurer may
request, but shall not require, that an individual or a family
member of an individual undergo a genetic test if each of the
following conditions is met:
1.  The request is made pursuant to research that complies with
part 46 of Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, or equivalent
Federal regulations, and any applicable state or local law or
regulations for the protection of human subjects in research;
2.  The insurer clearly indicates to each individual, or in the
case of a minor child, to the legal guardian of the minor child, to
whom the request is made that:
a. compliance with the request is voluntary, and
b. noncompliance shall have no effect on enrollment
status or premium or contribution amounts;
3.  No genetic information collected or acquired pursuant to the
Genetic Nondiscrimination in Insurance Act shall be used for
underwriting, determination of eligibility to enroll or maintain
enrollment status, premium rates, or the issuance, renewal, or
replacement of a policy or certificate;
4.  The insurer notifies the Secretary of Health and Human
Services in writing that the insurer is conducting activities
pursuant to the exception provided for under this subsection,
including but not limited to a description of the activities
conducted; and
5.  The insurer complies with other conditions as the Secretary
of Health and Human Services may by regulation require for
activities conducted pursuant to this subsection.
I.  An insurer shall not request, require, or purchase genetic
information for underwriting purposes.
J.  An insurer shall not request, require, or purchase genetic
information with respect to any individual prior to the enrollment
of the individual under the policy in connection with the
enrollment.
K.  If an insurer obtains genetic information incidental to the
requesting, requiring, or purchasing of other information concerning
any individual, the request, requirement, or purchase shall not be
considered a violation of subsection J of this section if the

request, requirement, or purchase is not in violation of subsection
I of this section.

‹ Prev All Oklahoma sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.