Humira and Starting a New Job

[bobisacrohny]

Will the new employer find out you are taking Humira, as you know how expensive it is, and what will happen? Anyone have this experience? Can you bring your old insurance with you so they don't have to find out? The first 6 months is a probationary period so it is possible they may not want a drain on their insurance and just say that you are not working out? Any feedback???

 

[Scaryman]

Will the new employer find out you are taking Humira, as you know how expensive it is, and what will happen? Anyone have this experience? Can you bring your old insurance with you so they don't have to find out? The first 6 months is a probationary period so it is possible they may not want a drain on their insurance and just say that you are not working out? Any feedback???

This is a tough one. First I'd look at this equation
1. can you afford your current insurance (Cobra or not)? if you can then that helps.
2. is your current insurance covering Humira or at least a good protion of the cost?

2. What is the new insurance company's stance on covering Humira (some wont cover much of it)

3. If your financial situation qualifies you may get help from Abbvie. Thus possible bypassing insurance.

Personally, I've have been let go for (performance issues) constantly sick, and the high risk that Crohns is. There really was not a performance related issue - if you count me being out due to flare ups...lol So yeah I feel your pain.

 

[bobisacrohny]

Yes, that is how the game is played they just find reasons to say your performance isn't up to par, which is wrong! Employers don't want a candidate or employee that could be a drain on their insurance if there is a way to avoid it.

I am glad Obama is trying to help people have health insurance but I think the condition of going to an employer with expensive meds and potential expensive treatments is an overlooked and/or ignored issue in America. The government has a huge feet on their hands to find a way to have all of the rising health costs balance out, which is a big issue in a troubled economy.

Expensive medicines for special conditions Uncle Sam should be steeping in to prevent this hidden discrimination in America, otherwise games will be played. I often think the government is more worried about the groups that fight against them in the name of politics and I don't believe the sick are one of those groups of too much concern. Ethically politics should be based on what is right.

Any opinions how this situation could resolve itself?

 

[Scaryman]

Yes, that is how the game is played they just find reasons to say your performance isn't up to par, which is wrong! Employers don't want a candidate or employee that could be a drain on their insurance if there is a way to avoid it.

I am glad Obama is trying to help people have health insurance but I think the condition of going to an employer with expensive meds and potential expensive treatments is an overlooked and/or ignored issue in America. The government has a huge feet on their hands to find a way to have all of the rising health costs balance out, which is a big issue in a troubled economy.

Expensive medicines for special conditions Uncle Sam should be steeping in to prevent this hidden discrimination in America, otherwise games will be played. I often think the government is more worried about the groups that fight against them in the name of politics and I don't believe the sick are one of those groups of too much concern. Ethically politics should be based on what is right.

Any opinions how this situation could resolve itself?

Well not to get political but i cant even afford Obamacare with the tax breaks. As an added bonus I cannot use the experts that know me out of state. Another Affordable Care Act mislead/lie. My point is I applaud Obama for attempting to fix healthcare, they just went about it entirely wrong. From my own perspective the only thing positive is the pre existing clause is now not legal.

As long as lobbyist are involved in the outcome of politics- healthcare wont get fixed- moving on from that what you tell perspective employers is a tough one. Personally I don't say squat until I am out of probation (90 days). If I get a flare within that period than I either do what I have been - go to work with it and pop a pain killer (not advised). But I do not have a choice in that case. The other option is to gauge the flare and ask myself is it bad enough I'm ok with loosing the days pay? I am a contractor thus I get no benefits.

 

[scoutfinch]

First, Scaryman's first post asks some excellent questions. You should check with your current insurance to see if you can continue it (through COBRA) and if you can afford it. Assuming the 6 month probationary period means that you won't be able to join the new company's insurance for 6 months, then you'll need to buy COBRA, or pursue coverage under the new health exchanges.

Second, is there a way that your employers would learn that you are on Humira (apart from you telling them)? Medical privacy laws are strict; your employers should not be able to obtain any specific information about you or your health through the insurance carrier. Now, they may be able to speculate that you are sick (i.e. if you are the only person hired recently and the company sees a sudden spike in costs and sees that you are out sick often, etc). However, this is not grounds for them to terminate you.

 

[bobisacrohny]

I just wonder if companies have unconventional ways of finding out?

 

[Scaryman]

I just wonder if companies have unconventional ways of finding out?

Maybe, hippa protects you though. I guess they really wanted they could hire a private investigator. But that seems above any beyond overkill. Standard background check, drug test, credit check. Now that I think of it that might be a gotcha right there.....credit score. I am taking a beating on mine cause of this lovely disease. But it just shows up as ..Lab, radiology, hospital ect. I guess that could be a problem. You could reply, " yeah I got (insert bs story) and it's past tense now. Then act confused for a run of the mill medical, food poisoning, broken ankle ect.