Before you talk to your doctor...

[Wannabsober]

I told my doc about my drinking problem a year ago when I asked for the Topamax. I thought I was doing a good thing by getting my act together.
I recently applied for life insurance. My doctor's notes were faxed to the Life company, and the notes have me labeled as a chronic alcoholic, refusing to go to AA. I was DENIED totally, and it will be 5 years before I can be reconsidered. NO insurance company will take me and I have a young son I want to protect.
Just a warning, if you do see your doctor be aware that it is forever part of your medical history and insurance companies look back 10 years! :upset:

[more2life]

Before you talk to your doctor...

Hi WannaB,

I had a similar experience with S. CA insurance. I got around it by reapplying to another company and not telling them I was denied earlier. My doctor sent the medical records to me and I pulled out the sheet that mentioned I was drinking a bottle of wine a day to deal with my dad's death. I'm sure if I ever have anything go really wrong I'll be screwed, but in the meantime I have insurance. So far, I've been pretty lucky to not have to go to the doctor.

Sidenote.... I used to go by wannabesober on this site.

[byebyebridgetjones]

Before you talk to your doctor...

What an appalling practice, and disrespect of patient privacy.
How are we ever to feel safe in seeking help with such archaic attitudes still commonplace ?
Bridget

[keeta]

Before you talk to your doctor...

I know I have never outright admitted to my Doctor on the record that I have a "drinking problem" or addiction. Now I am glad I haven't. I am so sorry wannabe. I know my husband can't get any better life insuranced ue to an existing heart problem. It stinks.

[MonaCat]

Before you talk to your doctor...

Excellent post and this is true...never admit having drinking issues to your health care provider. If you do get insurance they will make any liver issues an exculsion. You can buy these medications you desire on line in secret. Oh and there is no real privacy in health care, it's just an illusion.

[Cinders]

Before you talk to your doctor...

I am in the same boat, Wannabe.

I have been to rehab twice and thusly uninsurable.

Ain't life grand?

But, my brother, who is an insulin dependent diabetic has the exact same issue.

Cindi

[chrysa]

Before you talk to your doctor...

Very scary stuff. It is my understanding that this will change with the reform bill -- the pre-existing condition situation that is.

[Doggygirl]

Before you talk to your doctor...

This is really a sad reality of our privacy situation in the US.

chrysa;782109 wrote: Very scary stuff. It is my understanding that this will change with the reform bill -- the pre-existing condition situation that is.

My understanding is that the original poster was referring to life insurance. I don't think anything in the reform bill will affect life insurance. If anything, I'm guessing that more government involvement on the health care side of things will simply result in even less privacy of information.

Sorry if I didn't understand the type of insurance being discussed.

DG

[brittzak]

Before you talk to your doctor...

Pre-existing isn't the same as being labeled an alcoholic, as you know. For those of us that have that in our records...we are still uninsurable. Lucky for my kids I have had my policy so long it was before I went off the deep end drinking like wine may go out of stock or something.

[lucky 2.0]

Before you talk to your doctor...

I'd love to see the cliff notes of what is in the 2000 page bill.

[chrysa]

Before you talk to your doctor...

B..No I did not know that about alcoholic vs pre-exisiting! whoa...man that is very bad & disappointing...sorry for being so naeive

[chrysa]

Before you talk to your doctor...

duck..what's up..why do you hate this administration for trying to address major problems...(maybe not for you but for most of us) ..the airline vulnerability prob was not fixed for 9 years because Bush & Cheyney did not give a shit...

[lucky 2.0]

Before you talk to your doctor...

C- I in no way hate this administration. It just seems hopeless- regardless of who is President.

I think Bush did give a shit and I think Obama does too, although they approach the issues from different camps.

I will shut up on the issues now. My hopelessness benefits none.

Carry on.

BTW- this is your best avatar of all times.

[chrysa]

Before you talk to your doctor...

Oh duck...for months now I have been royally pissed at Obama & feeling hopeless . And you may be right. I just have a teeney glimmer of hope for 1Q 2010. Hope you are well. Much love, C

[WilliamTheFree]

Before you talk to your doctor...

Unfortunately this puts us in a pickle. We want to beat this thing and know there is medical help to overcoming our addiction...we also know that it is best to be monitored medically when we take the big dive to the world of being AF. Problem is, once we admit it to our doctor it puts a label on us. I've seen questions on life insurance applications as well as job applications which ask if you've ever had a problem with drinking or ever sought help for a drinking problem. I've wanted to ask for help for years but have not because of these sort of questions.
Additionally, if one has a security clearance with the US Gov't one is asked whether he or she has ever had a problem with drinking or sought help. The very fact that you sought help could make one loose his or her security clearance.
Unfortunately, once the label is placed on you it is there and doesn't go away. So that leaves us with a serious decision to make....do we admit it and ask for help thus getting the label or do we go on drinking? Many find it extremely difficult to stop drinking without some sort of assistance. I've been on and off the wagon too many times to count. I tried Topa for awhile...it helped for awhile but then seemed to loose effectiveness for me. That is me...I know many members have found it quite helpful.
I've always tried cold turkey and it hasn't ever really worked. Tomorrow I start tapering...I know that will be a more effective method for me and it will work. I've just reached a point where I'm done with it.
Blessings to all.