Who knows that you take antidepressants or anti anxiety meds?

[Anonymous]

2 thoughts

- I told some close friends and an acquaintance at same time. It sort of just came out. Became awkward.

- I would tell my children if they were middle school/high school. It would help if they ever needed help, they would know it is not something to be ashamed of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

Um yeah this is now against federal law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

Um yeah this is now against federal law.

+ a million

OP, please take the medicine. I've had various anti-depressants over the years (still trying to find the right fit), but I've never had a problem with insurance.

I'd really like to start being a participant in life and actually enjoy something. All I can tell you is, symptoms get worse without treatment. Be there for yourself and your family. Give the meds a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

Um yeah this is now against federal law.

+ a million

OP, please take the medicine. I've had various anti-depressants over the years (still trying to find the right fit), but I've never had a problem with insurance.

I'd really like to start being a participant in life and actually enjoy something. All I can tell you is, symptoms get worse without treatment. Be there for yourself and your family. Give the meds a chance.

Doesn't the ACA apply to health insurance, not life insurance?

[Anonymous]

Just chiming in as someone who takes an Ssri and has gotten life insurance. My rate is higher than my husbands, but I have other things in my health history that contributed as well. Fwiw, it's through New York life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

Um yeah this is now against federal law.

Since when? I hope you're right.

[Anonymous]

I take meds for anxiety. My BF knows, no one else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am so sorry, I knew this would get you really anxious (I posted once already about this). I think there is also a limit on how many years backward they look - so if you take it for a while, then stop, then several years pass, it isn't an impediment anymore. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure I've heard about this.

Op here. Thank you for the note.

I'm doing what I do when anxiety hits in these types of situations - I'm telling myself what's done is done. I can't change the past and now I just have to move forward. I should be thankful that if I get denied it is for anxiety and not for some other devastating medical condition that many people have lived through. I will try to let go of the worry and just call one of the specialized brokers who deal with challenging medical issues on Monday and see what happens. It seems, from what I read, that the duration of treatment, hospitalization and going out in disability all play a roll in their determination.

All of this is much easier said than done, but at least I can try. Thx

I take Lexapro for anxiety and it had absolutely no bearing on my life insurance rates. I got a private policy about 12 months ago. What were you prescribed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH is on mood stabilizers bc he has mild bi-polar disorder. He is very open a out it and will tell friends or anyone where it comes up (probably not at work though). He had no problems getting life insurance.

We are also open about seeing a therapist, although not about why.

May I ask why (I mean, reasons you wouldnt disclose why you are seeing a therapist?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

OP here - will (can) they really deny you? Or will they just jack up your rates?

Not the PP, but yes.

They will flat out deny a new application.

I think it's against the law now with health insurance. Not sure about life insurance.
That said, how is it even possible- isn't some huge percentage of the population on SSRIs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

OP here - will (can) they really deny you? Or will they just jack up your rates?

Not the PP, but yes.

They will flat out deny a new application.

OP, I don't think this is true - you may have to shop around more, and you may get a higher rate, but I don't think you'll always get a blanket denial.

More importantly, don't let this derail you now. If you feel you need the medicine, then give it a chance to help you.

As you can probably tell, I have BTDT.

Of course it's up to the company. But denial is unfortunately common.

OP here. Of course, now I'm freaking out. I have good life insurance through work, but was looking to get a private policy to supplement because our kids are young. I've even have the card of our local insurance guy. Just needed to call him back.

I wish I had known this before I got the rx filled or even mentioned it to my dr. I've lived with anxiety my whole life (and with all the stomach issues other wonderful symptoms that goes with it). As much as it sucks, if I had known the cost, I would've just found more time to run, which is what I've done to relax.

I haven't taken the medication. Does this matter at this point? Can I simply decide not to take them, never refill and get the policy set up. Then revisit medications ne t year? I've googled and it seems like there are insurance brokers who specialize in medically impaired applicants, so there is a possibility to shop for a company with a good rate?

Needless to say, this revelation isn't helping my anxiety issues.

I have been on Celexa for nearly 20 years and I have NEVER experienced being denied. I have a very large life insurance policies where I had to disclose that i was taking it. They wanted me to fill out an additional form and that was the end of it. Please, PLEASE do not 1) not take it because of the perception that you might be denied. It's simply not true. and 2) do not be ashamed of having to take it. People with all kinds of medical issues have to take medication. This is no different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

OP here - will (can) they really deny you? Or will they just jack up your rates?

Oh baloney. I am on 2 (lexapro & wellbutrin) and was placed into the highest/lowest risk category when I got life insurance about 5 months ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only those who need to know for medical reasons- doctors, etc. Unfortunately that includes life insurance companies, who will use the fact that you have used antidepressants to deny you coverage.

OP here - will (can) they really deny you? Or will they just jack up your rates?

Not the PP, but yes.

They will flat out deny a new application.

OP, I don't think this is true - you may have to shop around more, and you may get a higher rate, but I don't think you'll always get a blanket denial.

More importantly, don't let this derail you now. If you feel you need the medicine, then give it a chance to help you.

As you can probably tell, I have BTDT.

Of course it's up to the company. But denial is unfortunately common.

OP here. Of course, now I'm freaking out. I have good life insurance through work, but was looking to get a private policy to supplement because our kids are young. I've even have the card of our local insurance guy. Just needed to call him back.

I wish I had known this before I got the rx filled or even mentioned it to my dr. I've lived with anxiety my whole life (and with all the stomach issues other wonderful symptoms that goes with it). As much as it sucks, if I had known the cost, I would've just found more time to run, which is what I've done to relax.

I haven't taken the medication. Does this matter at this point? Can I simply decide not to take them, never refill and get the policy set up. Then revisit medications ne t year? I've googled and it seems like there are insurance brokers who specialize in medically impaired applicants, so there is a possibility to shop for a company with a good rate?

Needless to say, this revelation isn't helping my anxiety issues.

I have been on Celexa for nearly 20 years and I have NEVER experienced being denied. I have a very large life insurance policies where I had to disclose that i was taking it. They wanted me to fill out an additional form and that was the end of it. Please, PLEASE do not 1) not take it because of the perception that you might be denied. It's simply not true. and 2) do not be ashamed of having to take it. People with all kinds of medical issues have to take medication. This is no different.

Do NOT freak out. Ins companies now understand 1) how many people take these medications and 2) that it shows signs of your taking care of your health. I am the PP below who said she just got into the lowest risk category for life insurance. My policy is cheaper than DH who doesn't take anything and is only 1 year older.

[Anonymous]

I don't even tell my DH. Although I think he should be on anxiety medicines. I literally think about my friendship with Zoloft for less than a minute a day, which is how much time it takes me to get and take the pill.

I totally forget I'm on it.

[Anonymous]

At first I was so happy at how well they worked I wanted to tell everyone. but as time went on, I stopped talking about it. people just assumed that I stopped taking the medication. Some people (particularly those using alcohol to remedy the problem) were a bit judgmental and I thought, they do not need to know. Only doc, DH, and close family.