Revealing medical conditions for new job

Selke · Oct 4, 2007

There are people here who will disagree with me, but ...

Is your disease evident on a quick preemployment physical exam? Are you taking any meds that will show up on a urine tox screen? Are you taking ANY meds for your condition? Does it interfere with your normal daily functioning? What do you mean by "miss a few days" for treatment? Like, calling in maybe 3-5 days/year for this alone (not counting flus, colds, &c)?

Then I'd say, no, don't disclose. They won't know.

However, if you do have difficulties with bending, lifting, moving patients, and anticipate missing more than a day every other month, if you are on meds, you will run into problems with the job and eventually the truth will come out. You could always say you were diagnosed after hire and weren't sure how it would affect your work, which would be partly true.

In either case, I suggest that if you have any interest in pursuing any kind of advanced practice nursing, or education, or non-hospital based nursing job (public health, home health, telephone triage, forensics, and the list goes on) then you start pursuing this goal NOW while you still have a staff nurse job and before your disease progresses. This way you are more likely to stay employed in the long run and be able to use your nursing experience. It is very difficult to get SSDI, even with documented disability. You need to be able to support yourself in the long run. Good luck.

TazziRN, RN · Oct 4, 2007

I would not disclose. Something like a back injury that prevents lifting, or an extremity injury, etc., yes I would. Otherwise it's none of their business. If you miss work because of it, all they have to know is "I'm sick, here's my doc's note." End of story.

bethin · Oct 4, 2007

I have an autoimmune disease and my new job knows nothing. I had to have a physical but it was a basic one - they just wanted to know if I was fit to work. In no way does my disease affect my job performance and I don't see how it would affect my performance in the future. My meds don't show up on a tox screen. My last job I worked at for 3 years before they knew anything about it. And only then did they know because I was a pt on the floor where I worked.

TazziRN, RN · Oct 4, 2007

Even if you're taking meds that will spill out on a tox screen, you do NOT have to reveal why you are taking it, only that you have a legal script to do so.

woody62, RN · Oct 4, 2007

If you are asked to list any medications you are currently taking and fail to list even one, it can be cause for dismissal. And it can be used for denial of insurance benefits. The same goes for your medical history. If you are asked your health/medical history and leave something out, you may get away with it. You better hope so. This rational of 'if it doesn't affect your job performance, you don't have to share it' is cutting it very close to the edge. Most employers really don't care and may just ask for a medical clearance from your treating physician. Since most employers use group insurance, age and likelihood of pre-existing diseases are all ready taken into consideration. Hiding a pre-existing condition by not listing it only opens you up to denial of a benefit when you may need it.

Woody:balloons:

TazziRN, RN · Oct 5, 2007

Listing medical conditions for insurance coverage is different than listing it for employment. We all have rights to privacy, and employers do not need to know about everything. When they ask about conditions they are primarily interested in stuff that may end up as a work comp claim.

woody62, RN · Oct 5, 2007

I am sorry but in New York State and Florida, if an employer is providing health insurance, they have every right to know your pre-existing medical history and any medications you may be taking. And if they ask and you fail to provide the correct information, you can be terminated in both states, if you are found to be suffering from any medical condition or medications you failed to disclose. And even if they don't terminate you, your health insurance claim can be denied. And it may take a lawsuit to get those covered benefits back.

It is foolishness to believe that you have a right to keep a pre-existing condition from a new employer. It makes no difference if your condition impacts on your ability to work. It impacts on the rates your employer pays for your insurance. And he has every right to know. And the insurance company, although it doesn't usually, restrict coverage for pre-existing conditions. Not even hiding a pre-existing condition protects you, if you have ever filed an insurance claim for it. Insurance companies share information. And it is foolish to believe they do not.

Woody:balloons:

woody62, RN · Oct 5, 2007

By the way, I telephoned a friend of mine who is still employed as an adjuster, in Tampa, this evening. I asked her if they still shared information about clients between companies or were they blocked by HIPAA. She chuckled softly and asked me if I was joking? Of course we still share information. Why, are you thinking of hiding something on your medical history, she asked?

Woody:balloons:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2007

Perhaps it's not a HIPPA violation for human resources to share health information with insurance companies.

I'll have to ask around. But I read that one doesn't have to disclose HIV status to employers. I guess it's a fine line as to what one is required to disclose and what one isn't, and what can come back to bite you in the future.

Again, it does come down to individual choice, and the risks one needs to take. Does one want to be discriminated against for being treated for sphyllis and taking an antidepressant, or does want to risk keeping that extremely private and personal information to themselves.

TazziRN, RN · Oct 5, 2007

i have several problems for which i am taking meds. whenever i've started a new job and had to fill out a health form i have listed my meds but have always checked "no" for problems that would interfere with work. i have never had to fill out a history form for my health insurance. if i seek care for something and the insurance company thinks it's a pre-existing condition, i have to provide proof that i was insured at the time the condition was originally diagnosed. that's it. if my employer finds out that way, so be it but i have a hard time imagining an employer calling up an insurance company and asking what medical conditions i have. i would think it could indeed be a hipaa issue if we tried to pursue that route and could prove sharing of info, because i have never signed consents stating that my history could be discussed with my employer or anyone else other than my health care providers. does it happen? of course it does, i'm not foolish or naive enough to think that it doesn't. however, sharing info between insurance companies is way different than sharing the info with an employer.

woody62, RN · Oct 5, 2007

Indeed to point out a few things. When I advise anyone to share health information, with an employer or an insurer, I am referring to a new employer. I am not advising anyone or everyone to run to their employer or insurance company, and reveal every new diagnoses or medication, they may get after going to work or on insurance. But to believe that an insurance company does not share with an employer or an employer does not learn, if any new diagnosis or new medication, is only fooling themselves. When your doctor files an claim, with your health insurance, he has to provide a diagnostic code. And if you look at those forms you periodically sign in his/her office, regarding your insurance, you will note that you release the doctor to provide additional information, at the request of the insurance, to decide if it is a covered benefit.

And about the HIV/AIDES test and diagnosis. Yes, if it is performed at health department, it is very protected. If it is performed in your local lab, they again have to provide a diagnostic code. Just what code do you think they provide for an HIV blood test?

Woody:balloons: