15 replies to this topic

[roamingdoc83]

Hello...

I've been unemployed since diagnosed with CML in Oct '09 although it was not necessarily related to the Leukemia. My job was outsourced and I'm currently without health insurance.

I am applying for several positions and there are medical questionnaires asking about "prescription" medications one is taking. I wanted to inquire generally IF anyone has experienced

that/those questions and WHAT you do and if there is a Consensus about "admitting" one has cancer in an employment seeking environment? With CML the blood (in my case) is not

completely normal unless one does an expensive BCR so I doubt it will ever get picked up in a 'pre-employment' physical (the job is sedentary although somewhat intensive) and I have

no visible indications of illness.

I just do not put down the meds. But I also have to take a polygraph... and I'm rather open and if asked "if I've been 100% honest" it would probably trigger the poly.

So can anyone help or comment in regards to this kind of dilemma? I "know" companies and organizations are not supposed to consider some illnesses that make one unable to

do the job but in this case I'm active, physically fit, functional and so forth and the CML is more or less contained by Gleevec.

Thanks for any help.

Doc

[roamingdoc83]

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/cancer.html

Interesting... Does CML fall under some of this?

[CMLSurvivor]

I think that if your Leukemia is undetectable then technically you no longer have CML. Your medication is for maintenance purposes, so you maintain that you no longer have CML. When they ask you to list medications you take on a daily basis they probably wont even know what Gleevec is. If they ask you, you can honestly tell them it is a maintenance drug to make sure your CML does not reappear.

[roamingdoc83]

Those are my thoughts... the issue for me is I'm a bit transparent and so the poly will pick up (on me at least) any hesitation about 'anything'.

I think I will use Imatinib instead of gleevec... one of the questions asked is 'do you have any of these illnesses' and cancer is NOT present but

"other" is for fill in... I am really healthy, so forth, no one would ever think I was sick. I get the usual, "Well, you look really well (or healthy)" and

I'm sure strangers would not guess. Good idea you have about 'not having it' if it is undetectable. That is exactly the "issue" for me and transparency.

Appreciate the input!

[CallMeLucky]

This is a challenge, because there is what the law says and then there is what happens in the real world.  If the employer were to extend you the offer and then rescind it after finding out you have CML, you could have a legal case.  Not that it does much for you since your objective here is to get a job, not find a job for a lawyer.  In most cases the employer is smart enough to not be so blatant that it becomes evident they did not hire you because of the illness.  You really don't have a ton of options here.  I'm not sure about having to disclose medication on the job application, I've never seen that, but not sure what type of work it is so maybe it is permissible.  If you don't disclose it, they will find out soon enough when your claims start going through.  Then they can fire you for not disclosing.  If you do disclose there is a chance they will not hire you.  I think it depends on how big the company is.  Most large companies won't care but smaller companies may be more sensitive to their healthcare costs.  I would say disclose what you have to disclose with as little information as possible.  If it asks drugs you take, you put Gleevec, period.  Nothing about I take Gleevec for CML, but I am technically in remission, blah blah blah.  If asked if you can perform the job, answer honestly and go from there.  Keep track of all the correspondence in case at some point they do a 180 on you, but even if they do, there is probably not much recourse to be had.

As for your insurance issue, you need to take a look at this - https://www.pcip.gov/

Best of luck

[CallMeLucky]

I think it is legitimate to say you are in a remission state with the disease.  I've said to my family that I really don't look at it as I have leukemia anymore.  I had leukemia, the treatment wiped it out and now I am on medication to keep it form coming back.  Technically there may be a CML cells somewhere, so you can argue I still have CML, but there are theories that healthy people have BCR/ABL gene but their immune system keeps it in check.  I think there is enough lack of knowledge about the topic to choose the theory that best suits your needs.

[roamingdoc83]

Right you are... and the Americans With Disabilities Act seems to almost exclude 'cancers' like CML as they really don't disable one as some are so capable of doing

and especially after the typical chemo/radiation type treatments. Big issue is my 'mind' and the 'poly' and being honest about it all.

The PCIP site is a great chance and I"m waiting my six months (well, five to apply), you are in the know!!

[CallMeLucky]

What I would like to know about the PCIP and haven't had the time to research is if you go the six months, apply and get covered, what happens if a year later you get a job with benefits?  Are you required to drop the PCIP and take the employer benefits?  What if the employer coverage is not as good or even good enough?  What if you do drop the PCIP and take the employer coverage and then get laid off again - do you now have to wait another six months to get picked back up by PCIP?

I don't need it right now, so I haven't looked that deep into it.  From a coverage standpoint, the PCIP coverage is pretty good.  I would actually not get federal PCIP, I would be pushed down to my state's programs - CT.  The CT program is better than the fed program, so that would be good, but still wondering about how long you can stay on and what requirements there are for you to go off if you have a qualifying event in your life.

[hannibellemo]

Hi, doc,

I ran this by HR and she was absolutely astounded! She was particularly interested in where (what state) this job you are applying for is located. I would ask them why they want to know and how they intend to use this personal information. At least then you can have a dialogue about it. Everything you read in that EEOC document applies to CML. I also think it is very clear about what a prospective employer can and can't ask. That is definitely a can't. They may be doing it just to see if people will answer it. They will then eliminate those whose answers they don't like. Not answering it doesn't necessarily mean you won't get an interview. Once in the interview you can sidestep politely the questions they may ask that they aren't supposed to ask.

Good luck on your job hunt!

Pat

[roamingdoc83]

AFAIK you do not need to take employment offered coverage. I did not, had a better plan with my wife's health insurance a few years ago and demurred on my jobs offerings.

But I would think one might want to check. It is not inexpensive but MUCH less than HIPAA.

Take care.

Doc

[CallMeLucky]

yeah, if it is possible to give some more details about the job without disclosing any personal or identifiable information, I am also interested what kind of job asks what types of medication you are taking.  I am assuming there are jobs out there like law enforcement, etc where I could see them possibly asking this question and being able to justify why.  On the other hand, Walmart has no business asking this type of information.

[roamingdoc83]

Hi Hannibellemo,

Always good to have a source in HR... the large questionnaire is for a position within Civil Service as a civilian in a Sheriff Dept.

They ask specifically "which" medications do you take regularly. That is not asking 'are you ill' but can be telling for sure.

Most such 'law enforcement' involved jobs are very careful in the selection process about "substances" and I suppose meds

fall under that rule BUT our meds point to Leukemia. Other 'drugs' point to addiction perhaps but... we'll see. Have not completed

the forms and waiting on as much information as I can get. THANK YOU!!!

Doc

[CallMeLucky]

Hard to say these days, but in general, I would not expect a municipality to be phased by this.  I think they would blow right passed it.  You never know, but certainly different than dealing with a private corporation.  I would expect this type of employer to be much more favorable to your situation.

[roamingdoc83]

Agree. Often, and it is a large municipality, they are less picky about things not directly effecting the job description.

I just worry because it could be the 'last hurray' considering age, etc... I've found a pretty good system of 'reversing' age

and so I don't look or act my years but combined I don't want someone to think I'm not only over the hill but across the

next valley...

Finishing the pre-med, pre-poly and background packet now.

Take care.

[hannibellemo]

I work for a small to medium sized city and our PD finds other ways to ascertain the the backgrounds of applicants when it comes to drug use. They would not be allowed to ask that question. I've been on many interview teams and those types of questions are simply not allowed.

Again, good luck with the job, but with a disease as misunderstood as ours I would hate to give them ammunition without the opportunity to disarm any potential concerns our drug and what it treats may raise. It certainly wouldn't raise any suspicions on substance abuse but it might raise a big red flag if they start thinking about insurance costs - even if that wasn't the initial concern.

Pat

[roamingdoc83]

Not really 'drug' use in the sense but I understand what you say. The question is in a packet, oral interviews are over and testing is over.

The background has begun. And a medical followed by poly.

I would suspect that insurance for a large metro area would be less but it bothers me too.

Well, we'll see what happens. Sending in packet tomorrow. Background will begin.

Take care.