Genetic Testing, Genetic Medicine, and Managed Care

Abstract

As modern human genetics moves from the research setting to the clinical setting, it will encounter the managed care system. Issues of cost, access, and quality of care will affect the availability and nature of genetic testing, genetic counseling, and genetic therapies. This articles explores such issues as professional education, coverage of genetic services, privacy and confidentiality, and liability. It concludes with a series of recommendations for the practice of genetic medicine in the age of managed care.

Keywords: genetics, managed care, genetic counseling, human genome project, genetic medicine, quality of care

JEL Classification: K31, K32