I'm ill, but who needs to know?
That's the title of an article in today's New York Times. It's about people who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses deciding whether to disclose that information to their workplaces or not. I know it's not directly related because being BRCA positive isn't a chronic disease, but I think some of us face the same dilemma.
I remember when I found out I was positive (that was last summer so about 8 months ago) and just afterwards I accepted a job. I was worried about signing up for health insurance from my employer. Would they ask me if I had any genetic mutations? If they did would I have to disclose? Would they deny me insurance? Would I have to pay an exorbitant price (more exorbitant than normal, for that matter)?
My dad and I tried to do some research. We looked online for legislation, and apparently Pennsylvania was one of few states not to have any legislation about genetic issues and health insurance. My dad contaced the head of FORCE (which I talk about below) but I don't think he ever got a straight answer. With something so new as genetic testing, and someone so young as me who just graduated college and had to apply for new health insurance, no one really seemed to know what to do.
My job didn't ask, luckily, so it was a non-issue. But still, I wonder... And the question is unanswered. How does a BRCA mutation affect your health insurance? Your relationship to your workplace? Is it something you should disclose, or keep mum, and what are the advantages/disadvantages of either situation?
Ideas?
I won't post the article here because it's a little too long. But if you want to read it, I think you can link to it here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/fashion/21WORK.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th
Thank goodness I don't have multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia. But sometimes I wonder also... is this positive test any better?
I remember when I found out I was positive (that was last summer so about 8 months ago) and just afterwards I accepted a job. I was worried about signing up for health insurance from my employer. Would they ask me if I had any genetic mutations? If they did would I have to disclose? Would they deny me insurance? Would I have to pay an exorbitant price (more exorbitant than normal, for that matter)?
My dad and I tried to do some research. We looked online for legislation, and apparently Pennsylvania was one of few states not to have any legislation about genetic issues and health insurance. My dad contaced the head of FORCE (which I talk about below) but I don't think he ever got a straight answer. With something so new as genetic testing, and someone so young as me who just graduated college and had to apply for new health insurance, no one really seemed to know what to do.
My job didn't ask, luckily, so it was a non-issue. But still, I wonder... And the question is unanswered. How does a BRCA mutation affect your health insurance? Your relationship to your workplace? Is it something you should disclose, or keep mum, and what are the advantages/disadvantages of either situation?
Ideas?
I won't post the article here because it's a little too long. But if you want to read it, I think you can link to it here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/fashion/21WORK.html?pagewanted=1&th&emc=th
Thank goodness I don't have multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia. But sometimes I wonder also... is this positive test any better?
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