Finally received the denial letter from the life insurance company. It is official:

"After careful review, we regret that we are unable to issue you coverage because of your recent 2009 Naltrexone use and associated alcohol history as noted in Dr xxxxx's records."

I'm not sure what they mean by "alcohol history." I told my Dr. very little about history.

In any event, the result is the same.

Think twice before getting Naltrexone from your Dr, otherwise you may later regret it. There are plenty of good internet pharmacies listed on this message board that supply Naltrexone.

Q

Thanks so much for posting this, Q. I currently don't have health insurance and so went through River, but my husband had thought about going to his doctor and seeing if the prescription would be cheaper that way. Obviously that would be a big mistake. So sorry that it worked out that way for you. Just another example of health care failure in the good ol' US of A.

I'm so sorry, Q! More than I can ever say -

I have been lucky, I guess, in that my visits to the psychiatrist have gone under the radar of my insurance Co as far as what I am seeing him for...as have my Rxs...I feel for you guys who have to pay major $$ for this drug w/o the benefit of insurance. And I am still hoping this drug at now or even more elevated doseages will work. (fingers crossed!)
XO

I live in Canada and was denied life insurance last year due to a "history of alcohol abuse". I too am very curious as to where they would get this information as I have never been treated for alcohol abuse and have never asked for a prescription for it. I went to an addicition counselor years ago that said I have a drinking problem but not as bad as others so, Go to the back of the line. I never got past the initial consultation. I asked my Dr. what she said in her letter to the insurance company and she showed me a copy - it basically said that I have had depression over the years (who hasn't), have had some anti-depressant meds over the years, etc etc. NOTHING about alcohol.

Since then, I won't go to my Doctor for anything alcohol related. So much for Canadian Privacy Laws.

This is a huge concern for many. It's forums like this that assist those of us that choose to self medicate, to do so in a well informed supportive environment. Thank God for all of you!

C.

Hi Claremont,

Seems to me like a violation of an individual's privacy rights. If the addiction counsellor was the only person that said you had a drinking problem, is it possible that this person wrote to your doctor at some stage? Could it be that this information was conveyed verbally to the life insurance company?

What a mystery!

V.

Hi Virgil - It's a mystery for sure - one that I certainly didn't feel like digging any deeper into. It's embarassing enough to be denied insurance. I thought I would let the case rest!!

C.

Hi Claremont,

Probably a wise move!

My best.

V.

V - I realized that due to our Provincial health care - as wonderful as it is - my records would likely be available to an insurance company despite the privacy act. They may be excluded from that and so every appointment I have could be documented under my health card number and all they have to do is look. I thought privacy was privacy. Hmmmmmph!

C.

Loop,

Sadly, your advice to apply for life insurance off the internet and omit having a Primary Care Physician in the application in order to get life insurance was incorrect. (note: I started this thread because I was denied life insurance due to my use of Naltrexone. The insurance company found out because I gave them my PCPs name and gave them permission to look at my medical records. Loop recommended that I apply for insurance from another company, but just say I don't have a PCP, which is what I did.)

I did as you recommended.

However, my use of Naltrexone seems to be in some kind of national database. The new insurance carrier new I had taken naltrexone and had be denied coverage by the first company I applied with. This is despite the fact that I gave the second insurance company absolutely no medical information about myself beyond their taking my vital signs, blood, etc.

I seem to blacklisted for the time being anyway.

This is very scary folks.....

Q

Yes - very disturbing! I don't know what to think or how to proceed. Words of advice would be appreciated