Can my insurance company disclose what meds I'm on?? Seeking treatment for drug depen

[babypanda123]

Long story short I realized I was having a problem with pain pills. It's so embarrassing to admit that this happened to me.....I never saw it coming. So with the support of my husband I went to a psychiatrist and have been taking suboxone for about a month and it is a miracle drug.

I paid for the doc visit out-of-pocket as the addictionologist I went to doesn't take insurance. After a long talk with him about my confidentiality I decided to fill the script on my insurance and pay $100 co-pay as opposed to $569.00 out-of-pocket. As I discussed with him I am obviously very concerned about my employer and more importantly the BON. He was very supportive and reassuring that he takes care of nurses, doctors, teachers, cops, ect and he has never had someone's insurance company "out them" for their treatment. His response to my concern about filling this med on my health insurance was "If your insurance company reports you to your employer or the board for taking suboxone....you call me and I will give you the name of a lawyer that specializes in HIPAA and your settlement will be so big you won't ever have to work again."

Now before you start judging there are things to know:

1. I never diverted. I got more than enough pills from my doc so it was never worth the risk for me.

2. I have not had any troubles at work. No disciplinary action of any kind and just had an excellent annual review.

3. suboxone doesn't show up on standard drug tests (you have to test for it specifically)

I just renewed my license so I have 2 more years before I have to check the yes or no box on "weather I have been treated for substance abuse." The more I think about it I wish I had just paid out of pocket for the med so there would be no paper trail. I just don't know what to do. I am fully responsible for my actions and I accept that. But at the same time I was taking legal meds that were legally prescribed to me. It just got to the point where I would get sick if I didn't take them. That's why I sought help. I took 1 week off of work (approved vacation time) to start this new medication and returned to work healthy and better than ever.

So.....any of you out there have experience with this? Should I self report to the board or just cross my fingers?

[babypanda123]

Thanks for the support guys. I really appreciate it. Trust me I am not discussing this with anyone. No one knows but my spouse. I don't know what I would do if my license was threatened. I'm thankful I have health insuranse to cover this Med but I'm sure

as nurses you can understand my worry

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

I don't have any knowledge but since so many hospitals self-insure and many require you to fill your prescriptions at the hospital itself, I would be worried about a "leak" from the hospital pharmacy staff. Does anyone else have any opinions about this?

Do you really feel safe re confidentiality getting meds filled at your hospital pharmacy?

[RockinChick66]

I know some one that takes subutex and is afraid to get hers at her place of employment/insurance. Also, I've known people who take suboxone and/or subutex

And it's a fine drug to use but it's trading one drug for the other and it's harder to come off of than pain pills. The withdrawal s/s are much more intense and longer coming off suboxone, trust me, I've seen it first hand. Just taper off and try not o stay on it too long unless you just absolutely have to stay on it to maintain your sobriety. Good luck.

[PinkRocksLikeMe]

Ok, I am stupid I guess but how would your ins company know you are a nurse? I guess if you got healthcare through a hospital or what not but still there are many positions within a hospital that have people that are unlicensed,

Good job for you on seeing you have a problem, that is a HUGE 1st step!! Most people do abuse whatever the substance may be to mask emotional pain. Get into some NA meetings so you can have a support group and a sponsor. I will be saying a prayer for your recovery and regarding your upcoming decisions you have to make regarding it. I have a family member that went through this but they DID come out on the other side!!

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Pink

[backtowork]

I worked for the leading health insurance company in the nation for 10 years as a utilization review nurse. If you think adhering to HIPAA is huge in the hospital, it is ten time more enforced in the insurance biz..I would not even be able to tell your husband about your healthcare or meds without him filling out a 3 page release form with your signature notarized in 2 places before I could release ANY information. The HIPAA laws are a pain for us nurses to work with sometimes, but they are there to prevent just this kind of ignorant prejudice that the general public..(and many BONs) have... that just because you are HIV positive, have Hep C, have received mental health care, or seek medical care for a tolerance problem..then you must be a scum of the earth bad person.

I feel you have nothing to worry about with disclosure from the insurance company and that you can answer honestly that you have never been treated for addiction. Your doctor is right..he does not have to disclose anything unless it involves criminal behavior..and even then..it would take a court order to compel him to disclose and his lawyer would fight that. I feel that it is so sad that we nurses must work with this "witch hunt" mentality from our employers and BONs.

That being said..kudos to you for your proactive insight...and as you can see..we are a pretty non judgmental crowd out here..and I, again, commend you for taking care of yourself, before the drugs took care of you forever.

[catmom1, BSN, RN]

I feel that it is so sad that we nurses must work with this "witch hunt" mentality from our employers and BONs.

..and I, again, commend you for taking care of yourself, before the drugs took care of you forever.

The above two statements very eloquently summarize exactly what I have been thinking while reading this thread. I am outraged that nurses aren't allowed to be human beings and are treated like the scum of the earth for having human frailties, even when we deal with them ethically and responsibly.

Catmom :paw: