Hi Everyone,

I am a new Naltrexone user (10 days) and new to this forum. I just met with my insurance agent to discuss long term care insurance and found that Naltrexone was on the "red flag" list of medications. I am not surprised as I suspected that being on the medication might effect my ability to get coverage or increase my rate. I am disappointed in myself for not securing the long term care insurance before starting the Nal or getting it without a prescription some how so there would not be a paper trail. I am so sad and angry with myself right now I can't even begin to tell you.

So, now I am wondering how to proceed in getting the insurance. Of course I have to be honest when applying, but should I wait 5 years or so before doing so. My thought is that maybe by that time I will not be on the Nal anymore because I will not be drinking, so it won't be as big of an issue. The paper trail is still in place though so I fear it is just too late now.

Does anyone have any experience with this subject? I would greatly appreciate hearing your story if you do...positive or negative. I would love to hear, of course, that I am overreacting and it will not make a difference

I am sorry that I do not have any answers for you - but just wanted to actually reply to your post - hopefully someone else with an answer can help. I do know that any addiction meds are red flags to insurance - but as the deed is done, I would just carry on with the Nal and try and get cured ! then when you reapply when you are cured, you can honestly say that you do not drink - I have no idea if insurance people can access your medical records though ....

good luck, Hugs, Maggie

Wow- that really sucks. Instead of the insurance company giving you credit for trying to live a healthier life, you're red-flagged. This reinforces my decision to get nal from the internet instead of going through my doctor and insurance company. I bought LTC insurance a couple of years ago. I'm sure they'd love an excuse to cancel my policy or raise my rates. Depending on your age, I'd wait a year or two and try again, maybe with a different company.

Thank you for your replies! So, today I found the actual underwriter guidelines for the policy that I am applying (supposedly not for public use but on the net) which had use of Naltrexone listed in the uninsurable section. I am only 45 so I am hoping that in 5 or 10 years when I really should be applying for long term care insurance the negative view of this very helpful drug will have subsided. After all, those who are on Zyban to help with nicotine cravings are not discriminated against. Like henstooth said we should get credit for trying to live a healthier life! In 5 or 10 years I feel confident that by taking Naltrexone, I will have greatly reduced if not eliminated my alcohol consumption. But, I guess, because I actually admitted that I felt I was consuming too much is enough to list me as high risk with the insurance companies. I wish that I would have found this out before filling my prescription but the damage is done. Now I just need to focus on cutting down or quitting and hope that the future works itself out. I am hopeful, at least, that my life between now and then will be worth living!

Hi,
A few years ago, I had an insurance application declined - or deferred, really - because I disclosed that I had sought help from a doctor for alcohol consumption. They said to reapply when I had been abstinent for two years.

I'm guessing that no amount of control/moderation in the future would ever get them to reconsider that position. I have been AF for two and a half years now, so it's no longer an issue for me. But I suspect that (abstinance, that is) will be your only course if you want to be insurable in the future. I'd be surprised if this attitude changes in the next ten years, frankly.

Good luck, whatever your chosen path is,

c