alphaomega

Looking for thoughts/suggestions on when you go from being medically considered an active alcoholic to an official non drinker ?

When I'm asked if I drink, I now say no. But should I bring up my drinking past ? Confess my former usage ?

I imagine health insurance underwriters uses this info as a a red flag. And does it change your quality of care ? I would tell my PCP, but do I need to wear the scarlet A from this point forward to every doctor I ever see ?


Thanks.

least

I don't divulge my past drinking history. I just state that I don't drink.

jdooner

For me it depends on the relationship I have with my Dr. When I had surgery I told my surgeon I had an addictive personality and did not want pain meds - he still prescribed them and I threw them out but I felt I did what I had to to inform him.

I believe most insurance companies are evil and will do anything to deny claims, so I pay for my therapist out of pocket and never tell my PCP I am an alcoholic or addict. Frankly I don't think they need to know, but others may disagree.

You do not fit the DSM's definitions, as you do not drink. I would say you drank heavily in the past but no longer drink. That gives them the info they need and does not cause a red flag. I would also have the frank discussion with your doc and ask them what they will be reporting to the insurance company and just say you are concerned that the correct info is being reported - I have done this and it makes the conversation easier.

My concerns have to do with my life insurance policies and making sure if I die that my loved ones are not dealing with an insurance company trying to get out of the claim due to an undisclosed pre existing condition.

Murillo23

I wouldn't mention it. There are certain circumstances where it might be relevant, like if your doctor was going to put you on a medication that was damaging to your liver. Most of the time though, its appropriate just to say you don't drink.

Nonsensical

As will life insurance underwriters if they do a medical history check.

I told my doctor when he noted that my cholesterol was off the charts low and he had to reduce (and eventually eliminate) my medication. He asked what had changed and I told him. He says he now mentions to all of his patients on statins that he has a patient who had been a heavy drinker who was able to get off statins completely after quitting drinking. Knowledge I wish I had 7 years ago. (Although I probably would have ignored it anyway!)

RobbyRobot

Unless some medical reason exists directly pertinent to your conversation, saying you don't drink is medically sufficient. The question is routinely asked because alcohol doesn't play well with other drugs and medical procedures, as you already know. In some ways they are being responsible to themselves for asking, and also to the patient. A response of "I don't drink" pretty well is the best answer medically since no future alcohol means no later complications from alcohol. Good to go. Happy life.

Previous damage and experiences from alcohol is a different question and conversation that must have medical indications to have, otherwise what would be the point, unless the doctor is a friend or counsellor to the patient.

All the best with working with your doctors, AO. I hope everything works out from all the tests and such. Take care of you!

ErikT

jeez....man...you gotta tell your doctor the truth,..during my active drinking years...I did a lot of damage. If I withheld that info from my Dr. I'd be screwed.....if anyone...the doctor is the ONE you HAVE to be honest with.

alphaomega

That's the thing, am I doing my health a disservice by NOT disclosing my former drinking habits so there can be further investigation systemically

OR

Am I just giving the insurance companies reasons to both red flag me and make me a ticking time bomb and therefore charge as such appropriately ?

Nomad463

Always tell tour doctor the truth. This has helped me in stopping temptation because they aren't likely to prescribe me addictive substances in certain situations. But I'm poly substance drug addict. Why would insurance care less if you used to drink heaps? You don't anymore, which is better than most ppl. I thought they only cared if you smoked.

jdooner

As Robby said by disclosing your past for no reason then you are only giving insurance companies ammo.

If you Doc is saying you have a lesion on your liver and asks if you were a heavy drinker and you say I don't drink then that is being dishonest and misleading. But going in and announcing past use that has no relevance currently seems to be more a martyr move to me. Again, just my opinions.

EverySngleNight

I think it's completely reasonable to say no. BUT, if you'd rather they have some knowledge of your past in case it affects your treatment, you can always say "No. Not anymore." If they have any other questions you can offer to answer them off the record, and ask that it not be documented. Also, there is no harm in asking your doc how your info is stored/ or shared. They have to tell you. Hope that helps AO. :-)

Question; What is it you think the insurance co will do exactly? I'm not understanding that part I guess. :-/

Carlotta

If you are concerned about past damage I would suggest you do like JD and go get a check up from a different doctor and pay cash. The risk of getting red flagged is just too great. Like others, I just tell the doctor that I don't drink, that's all she needs to know.

EndGameNYC

When I had long-term sobriety, I routinely told my doctors and other health care providers that I used to drink heavily and included some details. These days, I only disclose such information should it carry any relevance in relation to my current or future health.

In any event, I've never been required to answer questions about my past alcohol and drug use for the purposes of insurance. Were I concerned that this could have consequences for health insurance or life insurance, I'd consult with an expert.

digdug

Considering you live in the U.S., Alpha, you really have nothing to worry about. The Affordable Care Act prevents discrimination for any kind of pre-existing condition. It even carves out specific care requirements for mental illness and alcohol/substance dependence and addiction. Your health insurance carrier cannot "red-flag" you.

I have been through the gambit of health issues due to my drinking. From a coma and ICU stay because of withdrawals to inpatient and outpatient rehab. I see a liver specialist every 6 months just to confirm my panels are still normal. I had a bi-lateral hip replacement due to alcohol induced avascular necrosis. I have to get another endoscopy in April to make sure my esophagus is ok.

My chart is filled with references to my alcohol related health issues. I've never had an issue with the quality of my care. I'm coming up on a year sober in a month and I inform every single doctor I see of my history with alcohol and substance abuse. The way I see it, the more info they have, the better care I will receive.

SnoozyQ

I would definitely confide in my doctor exactly what i used to drink.
There may be things that come up in our future ( medical issues ) that could be detrimental to us if we haven't divulged our truth

Certain medications can affect the liver in a negative way if unbeknownst to the Dr dispensing , your true past usage.

I have no respect for insurance companies one iota . They are self serving mongrels.

Odd on if something came up re liver issues they would back out or find a 'hidden' clause somewhere to get out of paying you what you deserve .

matt4x4

Well drinking has nothing to do with alcoholism. So you tell every doctor up front about your problems with booze and drugs. See some drugs have booze in them. Over the counter drugs have booze in them as well.
Neo Citron
NyQuil Syrup - comes with its own shot glass

Dee74

I'm not in the US, but like Snoozy my Dr knows everything...I'm very comfortable with that.

back in the 90s I tried to get my own medical records under FOI and was knocked back

so good luck to anyone else who can manage to access those records

D

EndGameNYC

Whenever I see a new patient, a discussion about confidentiality is part of my initial consultation. When people want to use insurance to pay for their sessions, I'll give them the least potentially alarming diagnosis that will also allow them to use their insurance (for the most part). This has been standard operating procedure in my field for a very long time. My personal notes on each patient is a separate matter.

The system of retrieving medical records in the States is far from being foolproof. People often encounter obstacles to get their hands on them. Medical information can also be obtained by anyone who helps you pay for your healthcare, from insurance, to the government, to your employer.

Medical records can also be obtained illegally by virtually anyone who wants to buy them. And, of course, they are sometimes inadvertently given to people or institutions who have no right to them.

I have thus far never been in a situation in which disclosing my past drinking behaviors or my past drug use to my physician(s) would have had any effect on my treatment. When I accessed physicians and other health care providers while I was drinking, I didn't withhold the extent of my drinking, and in each case I wasn't telling them something they couldn't see for themselves.

1newcreation

Once a pickle never a cucumber

RobbyRobot

Health insurance and life insurance are different. How they payout is of course different too. For myself, when seeking life insurance I was required to test for HIV because of my alcohol and drug history. My medical history with alcoholism and back story supported such testing. In addition a suicide rider was in effect for an extended period beyond the standard as a result of my hospital records. Insurance is actually a financial investment product, driven by cause and effect along with complicated statistical analysis, and supply and demand. Naturally, investors will go great lengths to protect their long-term investments.

Securing preferred life insurance is the actual concern when disclosing alcohol and drug use, imo. Insurance companies are well known to be motivated to eliminate or reduce their payout whenever possible. I don't regret my records with my doctors, I talked and shared as required for my health and treatments. Still though, I share in kind the same concerns as said by JD. And as suggested by EndGame, consulting with an expert in insurance is a good start to being comfortable with your own concerns.