Must I disclose my Hep C?

[semisweet123]

Hi all!  New here.  I just got hired on to a health care clinic, in a non patient-contact position.  As part of the pre-employment screening they list conditions including Hepatitis, and ask for a yes no.  I really don't feel comfortable disclosing it, but I worry that if I ever need medical treatment through their insurance it might be a problem.  Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[semisweet123]

I just want to say that I REALLY appreciate your replies!  It's good to know that surgeons and nurses who are positive are working.  But - ITA with Bill and Positude  (great nic BTW!) - once it's out, it takes on a life of it's own.  

I didn't know I had it until about 3 1/2 years ago when I went to donate blood, and the Red Cross notified me.  I was working a different clinic at the time.  I knew I needed to follow up with a physician, but I was worried about going to an in-clinic doctor where I worked.  I had a doctor in my department that I trusted, and I posed the question to him - treat in house or out?  He advised me to go out.  He said that even though there were plenty of confidentiality rules in place, that people still see things come over the fax, and they still talk.  So, I followed his advice and went out to treat.  I did go through treatment (twice) while I was working there, kept working, and made a partial disclosure to my supervisors (serious medical condition that requires aggressive treatment was all I told them).   Neither tx worked, and the second time it darn near killed me.  

Anyway....I feel weird about not disclosing, but I also feel that I deserve to choose how and when to share this info.  I am completely asymptomatic and have always been.  If sometime in the future I develop problems, I guess I'll just let my new doctors diagnose it and go from there - I'll play dumb and be surprised. I really hate to do that, but it's a difficult situation.  Also, at this new clinic, I have heard that all health care stays in house, so I guess I'll have to deal with that if it comes up.  But I'll already be established so at least I'll have that in my favor.  Of course this is presuming that I eventually get hired on in a regular position!  

Sorry about the rambling....I just hate to have to be dealing with this when I should be happy about the job.

[Trinity4]

I did have to disclose that I had hepc and was treating when my place of employment changed insurance companies.  I was covered regardless because there was no break in my insurance coverage but the agent told me the new insurance company could have refused to cover my treatment because I did not disclose it on my insurance application.  No one at work to date knows I have hepc nor did they know when I was treating.

I had periodontal surgery several weeks ago and I told them I had hepc and it was no big deal.  The nurse who administered the anesthesia was asking me a lot of questions about the virus and the new drugs that will coming out soon.  I thought it rather odd but I was more than glad to share my knowledge with her.  I found out today at my two week checkup that she has hepatitis C and also failed treatment. She works very closely with patients so those who are in the medical community cannot be discriminated against because they have this disease.  
It's been my experience the stupids are the ones who wag their tongue and perpetuate the stigma because it's easier to cast judgement rather than take the time to educate themselves.  I have no use for people like that.

Trinity  

[positude]

I am a health care professional (RN) and just want to clarify my last comment. I have not been asked about HCV on any "job" application, however it was directly asked as part of my physical history during my physical exams at the last two hospitals I have worked for. I believe it is personal information and don't agree that they should ask it, but they did. And I flat out told them that if they had not asked directly that I would not have offered the information. However, I am glad that they knew from the beginning now as I am not able to work due to overwhelming fatigue and nausea while on treatment. But the danger of having HCV was more to me than to any of my patients. To disclose or not is a personal decision, and yes there is a certain stigma associated with HCV, but every time I hear another nurse (or anyone else) make a stupid comment about it, I set them straight immediately. People can be very judgmental, and Bill is right, once it's out of the bag, there is no putting it back. So to answer your original question, no you don't have to disclose if you don't want to.
~Pos.

[dranurag]

I am a surgeon myself and practising. I have not disclosed it but take extra precautions while operating

[Bill1954]

Semisweet, we’ve had surgeons in here that are HCV positive and actively practicing; along with plenty of other health care providers that work directly with patients… I can’t imagine they would prevent you from working because of your HCV. It may be more of an issue with insurance, etc.

If it were me, I’d be careful to share this with anyone; at least at first. Like toothpaste, once things are out of the tube, they can be very difficult, if not impossible to put back in.

Best of luck to you—

Bill

[semisweet123]

Hello again!  Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday!

Just to clarify, the position I'm coming on for is temporary,  I'm covering a 6 week medical leave.  I have been trying to get in for some time at this particular clinic, and I'm hoping this will be a foot in the door, since they are puting me through their full training for my position. The Operations Director (who hired me) let me know that I can apply for interanl positions once I come on in the temproary postion.  My concern is that if I disclose, they'll let me do the temp position, but then decide not to hire me on for a regular position if it comes up.  There would be no way to prove that...  I also feel that I would be going in with a stigma.  I'm going to be working as a patient service rep - phones - making appts, etc,  There will be no direct patient contact,  I will not be involved in any procedures, drawing blood etc.  So....in my opinion, this info is on a need to know basis, and they don't need to know.  I'm going to take my chances and not disclose it. Sigh......

[Missy114]

I also wanted to add that I have spoken with quite a few nurses and all of them said that they have never been asked about or tested for HCV and they of course have plenty of contact with patients, so I think it is strange that you would be asked about it.

[tashka]

I think it is unfair to ask about such sensitive information on the application. It is very private matter. I don't think anybody should be required to disclose such things. This is in no way related to being able to perform on the job. And asking questions like this adds to stigma of this disease. What next-you will disclose your condition, and they will make you to bring a note from the doctor that you are safe to work with? Very humiliating, in my opinion.

I am not familiar with legal side of this matter. But I take a law class now with the professor who is very experienced in medical/pharmacy law. I will ask him about your predicament and will let you know what he says. I was thinking a lot about your situation and how unfair this is. And I would like to know the answer to your question also-from a legal point of view.

[R Glass]

I don’t understand how it is legal for employers to ask questions on job applications that fall under Doctor-Patient Confidentiality. If it is illegal for them discriminate against us for having HCV or other illnesses, why should they be allowed to ask? I do understand they should know about any conditions that might hinder us from doing the job applied for but nothing else.

[positude]

If it is asked outright on the application, you must be honest about it or simply refuse to answer, which will effectively answer the question anyway. My employer is fully aware of my HCV and that I am now treating for it, and I work directly with patients. They cannot discriminate against you for having HCV, at worst they may ask for a release from your PCP stating that you are physically able to work (one of the hospitals I've worked for asked this of me). It is not anyone's business unless you want it to be, but they have every right to ask anyway. Good luck.
~Pos.

[jdwithhcv]

Your employer should not be privy to the specifics of any medical insurance claims, however keep in mind that if you lie on your application and this is later discovered you will probably be fired - not for having HCV, but for lying on the application.

[SPOON1212]

your hep c antibody will not be tested. only your hep b antibody for immunity will. only tell them IF you have to, not until then. it's none of their bussiness!!!!! at least that's how i see it.

[semisweet123]

Thanks for your replies!  I've decided not to disclose it but ....I had the Hep B series in the past, and they're going to do a titer to check it.  Will my Hep C antibodies show up when they run that?

[SPOON1212]

I am a lab tech w/lots of pt. contact. I was told since i was not in surgery, like a nuse handling all the sharp tools w/pt cut open i could work. I have not disclosed my hep c status to the last couple of employers. my husband changed to a new co 2yrs ago and i didn't disclose it to ins co. they paid for dr visits, but would not pay for my tx. not because i didn'y tell them, but they said i was a non-responder or relapser.  I would not tell them unless they do a pre -employment testing for hep b, hiv and hep c. then you would, because your antibodies to hep c would be positive.

[Missy114]

Hi, I'm new too. I'm actually about to start nursing school so this is a big issue for me too. When I asked my doctor about it right after I found out I had Hep C (which was just a few weeks ago) she told me that I did NOT need to tell anyone about it, that this is something that should be confidential. However, my gastroenterologist said that I SHOULD tell people, but then again, she also said that it's ok for me to drink once a month and just rushed through mt appointment (I stopped seeing her and I have an appt with a heptologist next week). So I'm not entirely sure of the right answer, but I trust my doctor, plus I've heard the same thing from others online. I'll be watching this for others' replies since I'm curious myself...