Notice of Research Exception under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (CMS-10286)

Under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA), a plan or issuer may request (but not require) a genetic test in connection with certain research activities so long as such activities comply with specific requirements, including: (i) the research complies with 45 CFR part 46 or equivalent federal regulations and applicable State or local law or regulations for the protection of human subjects in research;, (ii) the request for the participant or beneficiary (or in the case of a minor child, the legal guardian of such beneficiary) is made in writing and clearly indicates that compliance with the request is voluntary and that non-compliance will have no effect on eligibility for benefits or premium or contribution amounts; and (iii) no genetic information collected or acquired will be used for underwriting purposes. The Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to be notified if a group health plan or health insurance issuer intends to claim the research exception permitted under Title I of GINA. Nonfederal governmental group health plans and issuers solely in the individual health insurance market or Medigap market will be required to file with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Notice of Research Exception under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act is a model notice that can be completed by group health plans and health insurance issuers and filed with either the Department of Labor or CMS to comply with the notification requirement.

The latest form for Notice of Research Exception under the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (CMS-10286) expires 2022-06-30 and can be found here.