POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Insurance, Benefits Programs & HIV => Topic started by: Common_ground on March 27, 2013, 11:38:33 pm
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So at work we have insurance and we are also required to fill out a form. The form from the insurance company asks about HIV status and at the bottom it says:
"...acknowledge the record of my treatment and health status from the physician, hospital or other organization who has my health record include the fact of blood test result for virus HIV."
And this we are supposed to sign. I am not out with being + at work, if known I estimate my chances of being laid off in the near future at about 70% according to statistics from surveys previously done here. So to me I have these options:
1. Fill out the form untruthfully to keep HIV a secret.
2. Fill out the form truthfully.
3. Deny the insurance.
The thing is that with #1 I am afraid that I am giving my consent to open up medical history to a third part, I dont know if the insurance company can check with hospitals what records I have with them, and thus I will be denied coverage, exposed and then supposedly laid off. If I would go with this option then I wouldnt use the insurance for anything HIV related or at the hospital where I get my treatment.
In #2 Im risking to end up like above but just faster.
And finally then the last option which would seem weird to the employer but it might work to keep my job.
Let me remind you that Im in a developing country and there are laws that should protect me but the civil government is weak thus enforcement is not working properly to uphold rules and regulations.
Any help appreciated.
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In which developing country do you live? I know you want to keep your info close to the vest, but if there are forum members in this forum from your country who've encountered this they might share their decisions/stories with you.
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In which developing country do you live? I know you want to keep your info close to the vest, but if there are forum members in this forum from your country who've encountered this they might share their decisions/stories with you.
Em,
His profile states he is from Kunming.
I am guessing that it is China.
Common,
I wish I could help.
I feel for you with this dilemma and hope someone here will be able to come up with an answer.
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Geez what a difficult situation.
I have no idea but just reading YOUR logic, from my outsider perspective No 3 seems the best strategy. Do you financially need the insurance? If not, No 3, again, makes sense.
Is it plausible if you do no 3, and someone raises an eyebrow, that you could say you have "other" insurance that you are content with?
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Hi again!
I am in Thailand and the work would be here as well.
I have tried to find some info from the locals, but its very hit n miss.
Some Thai acquaintances have filled out these forms as they werent + but still knew and it worked. I also know of one whom just denied the whole thing because she was being scared to know if she was sick, used that as an excuse, and got out of the whole initial medical and the insurance. :o
However in this case we would not have a medical check up for this insurance, just filling out the form.
But its extremely complex, so many variables I cant control....
Its really giving me a headache....
You might be on to something there Meech. I could maybe come up with a reason to deny the coverage.
Here it is considered malpractice to test for HIV in any case, unless its voluntarily and results are kept confidential. It is against the law to dismiss or deny employment someone for being +. So they would have NO ground to do so, but in reality IF the company would find out, there is a high chance that someone would find an excuse, unrelated to HIV, to let me go, just because of the uncomfortable feeling of someone being + at the workplace.
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Hi Common
I would agree with mecch's reasoning. Not knowing your locale/workplace, I would have to hesitate about the best option. Is there any local HIV counselor that you could speak with? One that would insure discretion?
Keep us posted....and hope it all works out. :)
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Hi again
Looks like it worked out after all.
Somehow we got the wrong forms(!), we were supposed to get group insurance but there had been a mix up and we were given the forms for individual cover. So now its basically just our names needed ;D
For those who run into similar problems I would recommend to contact www.tbca.or.th - Thailand Business Coalition On AIDS
An ASO especially dedicated to HIV/AIDS and the workplace. HQ is in Bangkok but they have branches in Chaing Mai, Ranong and Rayong as well.
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bravo too cool!