![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SheilaC on July 12, 2009, at 14:49:02
I've been seeing a shrink for about 15 years and am treated for BPII. I haven't shared this information or what meds I am taking with my family doc (I only see family doc for yearly physical, allergy meds, general colds, etc.) The big reason I have not shared this info with my family doc is that I have him listed as my doc on my life insurance paperwork.
I'm afraid if I were honest with my family doc, the life insurance company may find out in the future (when they update their records) and drop me.
Am I being stupid? Can a life insurance company refuse to cover me or drop me due to bipolar illness?
I have even thought about seeing a 2nd family me so that I can have one doc that knows everything about me and use the other doc as my reference for my life insurance.
I hate being dishonest, but I don't feel like I should be discriminated against because of this stupid, awful disease.
Posted by Frustratedmama on July 12, 2009, at 16:42:50
In reply to Share w/Family doc?, posted by SheilaC on July 12, 2009, at 14:49:02
I felt the same way after a life insurance company wouldn't cover me.... But with a letter from my pdoc I got covered..... I would keep all docs who prescribe meds "in the know" of what you are taking... Otherwise there could be interactions...or even worse something could happen where emergency meds could be contraindicated..... Once you get life insurance it is hard to get dropped...I have never heard of anyone being dropped.... so if you already have it you should be ok,.....
Posted by Phillipa on July 12, 2009, at 20:53:19
In reply to Re: Share w/Family doc?, posted by Frustratedmama on July 12, 2009, at 16:42:50
Inform of all med but know nothing about being dropped by a life insurance company? Love Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on July 12, 2009, at 21:04:23
In reply to Share w/Family doc?, posted by SheilaC on July 12, 2009, at 14:49:02
Sheila,
That's an interesting question. I might be tempted, if I was informed about the pmeds I was taking, and felt they were straight forward enough, like a 'simple' AD, not to tell the family doc--maybe ask your pdoc about the interactions? I am not too comfortable with having my med doc know my condition--though I did decide to tell him.
Do you not run your pdoc expenses through insurance?
fb
Posted by SheilaC on July 13, 2009, at 8:03:32
In reply to Re: Share w/Family doc? » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on July 12, 2009, at 21:04:23
> Sheila,
>
> That's an interesting question. I might be tempted, if I was informed about the pmeds I was taking, and felt they were straight forward enough, like a 'simple' AD, not to tell the family doc--maybe ask your pdoc about the interactions? I am not too comfortable with having my med doc know my condition--though I did decide to tell him.
>
Yes - I do run my pdoc through my insurance. Can life insurance companies see all of your doctor visit and prescription expenses?
> Do you not run your pdoc expenses through insurance?
>
> fb
Posted by floatingbridge on July 13, 2009, at 12:22:58
In reply to Re: Share w/Family doc?, posted by SheilaC on July 13, 2009, at 8:03:32
Hi Sheila,
I misread your original post and negelectd to see 'life' as the insurance--I don't know if they (insurance companies) share info or not. I imagine they do, but .....That is a good question, worthy of finding out about. It could make a big difference.
fb
> > Sheila,
> >
> > That's an interesting question. I might be tempted, if I was informed about the pmeds I was taking, and felt they were straight forward enough, like a 'simple' AD, not to tell the family doc--maybe ask your pdoc about the interactions? I am not too comfortable with having my med doc know my condition--though I did decide to tell him.
> >
>
>
> Yes - I do run my pdoc through my insurance. Can life insurance companies see all of your doctor visit and prescription expenses?
> > Do you not run your pdoc expenses through insurance?
> >
> > fb
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2009, at 19:12:49
In reply to Re: Share w/Family doc?, posted by floatingbridge on July 13, 2009, at 12:22:58
I'm pretty sure that an insurance company with the big computer systems would see both. Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on July 14, 2009, at 3:15:45
In reply to Re: Share w/Family doc?, posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2009, at 19:12:49
Its hard to say... I was examining some provisions of HIPAA at the Center for Democracy and Technology and I have to say that the rights that one thinks they have aren't necessarily what they are.
Things appear to be slightly stronger and more broadly interpreted with the new administration but there remains a lot of work to ensure privacy of healthcare information.
HIPAA provides a minimum level and states must comply, however states can provide a higher level of protection and indeed ... oh how shall I say it politely.... more enlightened state laws do.
As for life insurance... people, yes, are still denied for genetic disorders, etc... but this occurs more frequently with personal insurance.
With group insurance this is much more minimal.
However you had stated you run your psychiatric expenses through your health insurance.I can't really give a definitive answer except to say that the degree to which information may be drawn tertiary probably might make a difference if there is a relation between your life insurance carrier and the health insurance.
As for my situation... well... let's say its private... it doesn't go through insurance.
However pharmacy expenses in general do go through insurance, from various doctors.
How many bean counters does it take to add up things, who knows.
I'd just prefer to have less information than more.
As for sharing information with your doctor -- that's up to you, I do have a relationship between my doctor and my psychiatrist, although I don't know if that is currently renewed.
I think that if you receive medication and other services from your family doctor, it would behoove you to share what medications you receive from your psychiatrist as there could be conflicts, but that is up to you.
If you don't, I would share what is provided from your family doctor in private with your psychiatrist.
Because at some point, if medication list X is not compatible with medication list Y, there could be serious consequences for your health.
If there's nothing you get from your doctor, well then maybe that's a decision that may make you feel better to keep things within the psychiatrist's office.
However, and I'm making things probably more confusing -- if you take medications from your psychiatrist that should have blood draws and/or EKGs, etc... a psychiatrist can write a prescription for such a thing at least in this area, but he/she may not be part of a practice/hospital that has facilities for this.
You may have to go to a preferred test center provider for this.
I understand your dilemma and this is, besides the gaps in health care, what is f*'d up in the US, medical privacy.Again, some states are more strict.
-- tidings
Posted by SheilaC on July 14, 2009, at 8:02:18
In reply to Re: Share w/Family doc?, posted by yxibow on July 14, 2009, at 3:15:45
> Its hard to say... I was examining some provisions of HIPAA at the Center for Democracy and Technology and I have to say that the rights that one thinks they have aren't necessarily what they are.
>
> Things appear to be slightly stronger and more broadly interpreted with the new administration but there remains a lot of work to ensure privacy of healthcare information.
>
> HIPAA provides a minimum level and states must comply, however states can provide a higher level of protection and indeed ... oh how shall I say it politely.... more enlightened state laws do.
>
> As for life insurance... people, yes, are still denied for genetic disorders, etc... but this occurs more frequently with personal insurance.
>
> With group insurance this is much more minimal.
>
>
> However you had stated you run your psychiatric expenses through your health insurance.
>
> I can't really give a definitive answer except to say that the degree to which information may be drawn tertiary probably might make a difference if there is a relation between your life insurance carrier and the health insurance.
>
>
>
> As for my situation... well... let's say its private... it doesn't go through insurance.
>
> However pharmacy expenses in general do go through insurance, from various doctors.
>
> How many bean counters does it take to add up things, who knows.
>
> I'd just prefer to have less information than more.
>
>
>
> As for sharing information with your doctor -- that's up to you, I do have a relationship between my doctor and my psychiatrist, although I don't know if that is currently renewed.
>
>
>
> I think that if you receive medication and other services from your family doctor, it would behoove you to share what medications you receive from your psychiatrist as there could be conflicts, but that is up to you.
>
>
>
> If you don't, I would share what is provided from your family doctor in private with your psychiatrist.
>
> Because at some point, if medication list X is not compatible with medication list Y, there could be serious consequences for your health.
>
>
>
> If there's nothing you get from your doctor, well then maybe that's a decision that may make you feel better to keep things within the psychiatrist's office.
>
>
>
> However, and I'm making things probably more confusing -- if you take medications from your psychiatrist that should have blood draws and/or EKGs, etc... a psychiatrist can write a prescription for such a thing at least in this area, but he/she may not be part of a practice/hospital that has facilities for this.
>
>
> You may have to go to a preferred test center provider for this.
>
>
>
>
> I understand your dilemma and this is, besides the gaps in health care, what is f*'d up in the US, medical privacy.
>
> Again, some states are more strict.
>
> -- tidingsThis is exactly why for a while I had 2 family docs. One family doc that I would share everything with (and tell him about my pdoc stuff and meds). Then I had another separate family doc that I would use for minor things like colds, etc. and I would use that doctor as a reference for my private life insurance policy.
I hate to be deceptive, but if I were to be honest with my own doctor, my life insurance would drop me. Since I take psych meds, I would be considered a high risk.
Its not fair, but if I have to be devious in order to make sure my family is taken care of in the event of my death, then that is what I will do.
If anyone has any answers out there as to how not to be devious, let me know.
Until then, I guess I will continue to have 2 family docs in 2 different towns.
Posted by floatingbridge on July 14, 2009, at 11:26:55
In reply to Re: Share w/Family doc?, posted by SheilaC on July 14, 2009, at 8:02:18
I think it's being saavy, not devious. And kudos to you for watching out for yourself. Sounds like you are aware of any possible med conflicts which is what really matters--your health and safety.
fb
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.