View Full Version : Details health insurance claims share with HR
ChaS3
Dec 11, 2007, 06:21 PM
Hello -
I was recently in an accident were I needed to be sent to a trauma center at a hospital to get better.
Luckily I got out in one day, and I used my health insurance through work for the bill.
During my hospital visit they let me know that I tested positive for marijuana, which was a month prior to the accident and a stupid mistake at a social party.
Anyway, just wondering, my HR department should not have access to the results of the test they did on me while I was unconscious? Im sure my company will receive information that I made a claim and the accident but do they get to see the details?
Just wondering if I will get in trouble for the unrelated drug test.
Thank you
Brandon
Fr_Chuck
Dec 11, 2007, 06:30 PM
Was this a work accident, did it happen while you were working.
If this was done because the police believed you to be under the influence then the police will get the results, not your work.
IF this was a work related accident, then your employer will get notification of this.
ChaS3
Dec 11, 2007, 06:33 PM
It was on a weekend, not during working hours.
I was only a passenger in a car that was in an accident, driver was sober.
So its likely they will not see the details?
Thanks
- Brandon
Fr_Chuck
Dec 11, 2007, 06:35 PM
Well first of course you should not have been positive a month after using, if you had no contact previous.
But most likely the police ordered the test, in many US states this is common
ChaS3
Dec 11, 2007, 06:41 PM
I will assume I am OK, it is OK if the law asked for the test since I was a passenger in the back seat with my seat belt on and we were not doing anything illegal in the car when the accident occurred. Not sure why I tested positive after so long, I am overweight though.
Thanks for the responses.
Fr_Chuck
Dec 11, 2007, 06:45 PM
I used to be a police officer and we as routine if drivers and sometimes passengers where hurt to a point of being sent to the hospital always ask for a drug screen.
Also some hospitials do it as their procedure, incause you are on illegal drugs, they don't give you something that will harm you. For example if you were on some drugs, other treatments could be serious effects.
So often a routine blood scan for drugs and any medical condition is done.
ChaS3
Dec 11, 2007, 06:47 PM
That makes sense, in case I had other substances in my system they would not want to damage me further.
Thanks again for your answers, they are appreciated.
- Brandon
LearningAsIGo
Dec 12, 2007, 09:31 AM
Just wanted to add - I believe marijuana in particular stays in the body for at least a month.
ScottGem
Dec 12, 2007, 09:38 AM
Since the accident was not work related, then there would be no reason for your company to know anything about it. Unless your health care claims system is self administered, no one at your company should even know about the claim.
Emland
Dec 12, 2007, 09:49 AM
I am the HBA assistant in our office. The only time I have contact with the healthcare plan people is when I am adding or dropping someone.
I think them sharing that kind of info would involve a Hipaa violation, unless you were in the accident while performing your work duties.