If I tell a doctor that I have used/abused drugs previously, will this come back to haunt me? I have always heard never to admit this type of information to a medical professional, why is this? Will they tell my insurance company?
2006-08-12 20:10:50 · 22 answers · asked by captainh0wdy41 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Don't do it. Your insurance company will know. Your employer will know. If you are ever in a lawsuit say for an automobile accident, the whole world will know.
2006-08-12 20:14:45 · answer #1 · answered by lcmcpa 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Definitely not. The Drs. have taken the Hipocratic Oath. That means that a patients history is confidential. I, too, have been in the same situation and especially if you are seeking medical help for emotional or psycholigical reasons, it could possibly explain concerns. On the down side, my Dr. knows about my drug abuse in my past and I went to see her because (now this is gonna sound very strange) I felt like there were bugs crawling in my skin and in my ears and burrowing up towards my eyes. Before she could consult with me she had asked if I was tweeking. I am still very offended. I can see why she would think that but the matter is, even if I was I would not admit it after being asked a question with such conviction. Also, if I was tweeking, she should have at least suggested a treatment program and then it would be left for me to make that decision. Consequently, I was slowly for 2 weeks not sleeping well and the process was so slow that I was halucinating. Wierd huh.
2006-08-12 22:48:00 · answer #2 · answered by Merideth s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to give your doctor any information that is requested in order to receive appropriate treatment. The information will NOT be released to your insurance company (by law) unless it directly results in necessary medical treatment, and the insurance company requests the information.
In other words, if the doctor determines that a specific test or treatment is warranted directly because of your history of drug use, he will order the test or treatment and report WHAT was ordered, but not necessarily WHY it was ordered. If the insurance company balks at paying the claim, they may request additional justification of the procedures, and at that time, in some cases, it may become necessary for the doctor to disclose your history of drug use to the insurance company. However, your insurance company still cannot release this personal medical information to your employer, if that is your concern.
On the other side of the issue...there are certain drugs that can have very serious negative effects when combined with other drugs, legal or illegal. One potential "side effect" of these combinations is death. In this case, the autopsy will determine that you had a history of drug use. Then, your history will be known, AND you'll be dead. Not a good option.
2006-08-12 20:24:00 · answer #3 · answered by firemedicgm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you have patient confidentiality. They're not allowed to tell anyone unless you give them the right to or its required by law (in the case of a trial or some other sort of legal problem) If you sign a release form for your imformation to be shared.. Its best you tell your doctor about your drug history because it will prevent you from being prescribed prescriptions that may be harmful due to your history and or possible side effects of the drugs.
2006-08-12 20:20:09 · answer #4 · answered by GC 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The doctor/patient confidentiality relationship is very serious and important. It would have to become a legal issue before his/her notes would be open for anyone to see. The only other time would be if an insurer wanted the info and you agreed before hand for them to look at them. You would have to sign a waiver to let them see the notes. A handtied or blindfolded doc is not going to be able to do whats best for your interests. Find a doc you trust.
2006-08-12 20:19:40 · answer #5 · answered by Dee C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are required to tell your insurence ONLY if requested and is relavant to the condition for which you are being treated, but you really SHOULD tell your doctor so he/she can treat you properly.
If you don't tell them, how do you expect to get proper treatment?
Docs aren't stupid, if you lie to them, they will find out and the trust between doctor and patient will be gone.
Due to HIPPA laws, your insurence company CAN NOT refuse coverage for treatment that is NOT related to prior drug use/abuse. It's illegal and you CAN sue!
2006-08-12 20:18:30 · answer #6 · answered by DEATH 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Confidentiality Law- Same as a Priest or a Therapist- they're there to help and not to incriminate you.
Since it is your health care provider, you should probably tell him. That way he knows whats been in your system, what not to put in your system and most importantly wont give you anything that could affect you negatively or cause a relapse of some kind.
2006-08-12 20:19:01 · answer #7 · answered by Karmically Screwed 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its a good idea to let your dr. know of previous drug use so in the future if you need a controllrd substance i.e. pain pills the dr will know what to give you that wont interfere with what you were addicted to before. i am a former drug user my dr's know of this and what i did but my insurance co. has never said anything to me about this so i would not worrry about your insurance and if you pay rates on it, it will not go up
2006-08-12 20:19:41 · answer #8 · answered by oceanlady580 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It cant come back to haunt you, unless there is a court order involved. There's a nice little amendment called patient/doctor confidentiality. What is said and studied behind closed doors, stays behind doors. He cant even discuss direct matters with your parents.
2006-08-12 20:16:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-14 05:05:58 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want the best treatment, you should admit it to the doctor. If you are clean and sober now your insurance company shouldn't be notified.
2006-08-12 20:13:40 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋