A new rule will protect patients' genetic information and will help ensure that genetic information is not used adversely in determining health care coverage was issued Oct. 1 by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury.

The rule proposed modifies the HIPAA Privacy Rule pursuant to Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) Title I to clarify that genetic information is health information and to prohibit the use and disclosure of genetic information by covered health plans for eligibility determinations, premium computations, applications of any pre-existing condition exclusions, and any other activities related to the creation, renewal or replacement of a contract of health insurance or health benefits.

For details about the interim final rule of the GINA, click here.