Spectrum Affinity random drug screenings

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Specializes in LpN.

Hi, per an agreement with LSBPNE to be eligible to sit for NCLEX I would have to enroll into a drug screening program (Affinity) and maintain this for the 2 years they will probate my licenses once I receive them. This disciplinary action was because prior to me entering an LPN program I had a mental health crisis and was PEC to a mental health facility which at that time I tested positive for marijuana. I never failed any other drug test in my life and the only mental health conditions I suffer from are ADD which I take medication for. However, since my enrollment into this drug program on 10/19 I have been selected for a urine drug screen which is $45 plus a $55 processing cost from Affinity totaling $100 every 7-14 days so far. Although I know I cannot do anything about the cost it really bothers me because of the frequency ontop of the fact that I am not even employed nor will my probation period began until I am licensed and employed to begin with. I have tried expressing this to my case manager multiple times but they do not care at all. The cost us outrageous & the frequency is beyond me. Maybe it is because I am on a controlled substance and thats why? This is so frustrating & truly makes me want to give up because I feel that I am being discriminated against & made out to be an addict for having received mental health help & having marijuana in my system one time years prior. I'm not sure what I am looking for here. I guess encouragement & maybe to know I am not alone in this? 

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The 7-14 days sounds about right, but I think you should just be paying the $55 to affinity. What lab are you going to? Some labs have higher costs if it is after hours or through a provider that doesn't use quest, but that amount doesn't sound quite right. 

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Specializes in LpN.
2 hours ago, TIMFY said:

The 7-14 days sounds about right, but I think you should just be paying the $55 to affinity. What lab are you going to? Some labs have higher costs if it is after hours or through a provider that doesn't use quest, but that amount doesn't sound quite right. 

Im using an occupational medical site that because it is closest to home for me. The urine drug screen itself is $20 but then it is an extra $25 for it be observed so it equals out to $45. 

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Ohh gotcha. There is a form on affinity that says "refer a collection site", maybe you can find one that would work that is not on their list yet? You may be able to get the "observed" stipulation taken off at some point. Hang in there!

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Specializes in Research & Critical Care.

I've been using Affinity for three years and I think I've gotten an observed test maybe twice. They don't all need to be observed so check the fax to make sure they're not charging you for something they don't need to be doing.

Otherwise what they say goes. If you can accept that then you get used to it after a while. Cost-wise it's not great. You can still work in any other field so maybe picking up a job doing something like serving will help? Best of luck.

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This post is almost already 2 years out. What is your status of your license & peer? You 100% were/ are being discriminated against. Especially since medical marijuana is legal in Louisiana. I would contact the ada for your region, they are very helpful. Also hiring an attorney to write to your board/ peer program would be extremely helpful in your case, I have also gone through the same type of issue and had to have legal assistance. Please update! 

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Specializes in Lab science.

update please 

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