Do health insurance companies drug test? Well, in most cases, those who join group policy through the employer do not undergo a drug test or physical examination. It is up to the employer to make drug testing a prerequisite for the job, which is common in occupations related to the well-being of others, such as medical professionals, judges, military, airline pilots, heavy machinery operators, and more.
The chances of insurance companies requiring drug testing increase dramatically if a person applies for an individual private policy. There is a good chance that if testing is not required then a higher premium will be charged to mitigate the risks. If you’ve been charged higher and haven’t taken a test, you can ask for one to see if that might reduce your premium. However, this is not usually the case.
Alcohol or drug abuse can increase the risk of death or injury, and most insurance companies want their customers to be as less vulnerable as possible. Consequently, many life insurance policies with higher payments require medical examinations to determine the amount of risk they pose. While health insurance plans do not usually require medical examinations, some employers now require physical or health checks before employees are insured. You may be tested for illegal drug use, prescription drug and alcohol use.
Does a company that hires you have to tell you they are going to drug test you?
If you obtain insurance through an employer or other group policy, you probably won’t have to take a drug abuse test or physical exam. Group policies are intended to be applied to the widest range of members, and premiums are adjusted for account members who fall into at-risk groups, including recreational drug use.
If you buy private health insurance, whether or not you will have to take a drug test depends on the company you do business with and the state in which you live. The state matters because insurance is subject to state laws, not government laws, and some states prohibit drug testing for insurance purposes. Even in states where drug testing is permitted, many health insurance providers are not interested in drug testing. It is an expensive and ineffective process in distinguishing between recreational drug users and chronic users.
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Do health insurance companies drug test?
Government sponsored health insurance can and will require drug testing. Drug abuse is the opposite of a healthy family, and family services use drug testing to determine who adheres to the regulations and who disdains the system that is trying to help them.
No one can tell you for sure that you will not be tested, but routine drug tests are rare in all cases except for government-sponsored healthcare. On the other hand, if it can be demonstrated that you have a drug-related condition or addiction prior to obtaining insurance, the insurance company can reject any related claims on the basis of a pre-existing condition. It is best not to lie to your insurance company if asked about drug use, but an illegal substance test is unlikely.
If you buy private health insurance, whether or not you will have to take a drug test depends on the company you do business with and the state in which you live. The state matters because insurance is subject to state laws, not government laws, and some states prohibit drug testing for insurance purposes. Even in states where drug testing is permitted, many health insurance providers are not interested in drug testing. It is an expensive and ineffective process in distinguishing between recreational drug users and chronic users.
Government sponsored health insurance can and will require drug testing. Drug abuse is the opposite of a healthy family, and family services use drug testing to determine who adheres to the regulations and who disdains the system that is trying to help them.
What do health insurance companies drug test for?
The insurance company wants to know how much risk it poses. They want to know if you use tobacco because smokers live at least 10 years shorter than non-smokers. They will want to know which prescription drugs you take because some prescription drugs are highly addictive and taking prescription drugs indicates that you have some health problems that they want to know. They will also run an entire drug committee.
Complete drug panel tests for many different drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter. It may test for tobacco, nicotine, opioids, blood pressure medication, etc. It will also test for illegal drugs. If the test result is positive for illegal drug use, it will lead to an automatic life insurance rejection.
Using nicotine will categorize you as a smoker and raise your rates. Most life insurance companies allow you to smoke or consume some marijuana. With marijuana now legal in many states, testing positive for marijuana will not lead to denial. You may qualify as a non-smoker, depending on the amount of marijuana you use. Companies differ in how they treat marijuana and how it affects premiums, so if this is your situation, be sure to shop around. For example, Prudential puts you in mind for nonsmokers if you use marijuana less than 3 times a week.
If the nicotine test result is positive, coverage will not be denied. You will be classified as a smoker, and this will greatly increase your premiums. Nicotine use can be detected in your system for up to 10 days, so if you try to quit smoking right before the test, nicotine can still be detected.
What if I fail health insurance companies drug test?
If your application is denied, request a copy of the test results. If there is something wrong with the results, or it appears to be incorrect, you can request a retest. Insurance companies make mistakes. If something scored incorrectly, you can either retake the test or apply to another company.
Some people worry that if their test shows evidence of illegal drug use, the examiner will hand over a copy of the results at the local police station on their way out of town. This will not happen. Medication tests are private, and life insurance companies will not share your results with anyone. They will raise your premiums or even deny you coverage. Illicit drug use usually results in spontaneous rejection.
If you have applied for life insurance and have been rejected, you have a few options. If you have been rejected for legal drug use, you can shop. Some companies tolerate tobacco and marijuana more than others. Some companies are more lenient with opioids (although your prices may be higher).
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