Do I have to disclose MS to a new job? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

helricha · 11-18-2007, 07:26 PM

Ok so I know that this is not a new question. And I know that all of you out there have some answer to this.
I got a job and the health services there gives you all this information that you have to fill out. Certainly there is a spot for my med information which includes a MS drug. THere is also a spot for major illness and I'm suppose to put a year with that. WHAT A JOKE!! Like I know the year. Perhaps the year of dx but not the year it started.
Anyway, so here are my thoughts:
I guess I kinda have to tell them because if I get insurance there then they will know anyway because of the neuro bill and prescriptions. However, can that affect my job? Meaning, can they choose not to hire me now because I disclosed that I have MS? IS that legal? Will it be disclosed to my boss so that person can watch and see if I'm showing any "signs" of ms? Will they contact my MD and see if my disease has progressed far?

So many questions. I hope you guys can help me out with some answers.

Stacy1403 · 11-18-2007, 07:58 PM

Hi Helricha, I'm pretty sure you do not have to disclose your medical condition to your work unless you choose to. In the future it may be beneficial for you to disclose because then they may be able help make your working condition a little easier for you. However, if you have not been hired yet I might refrain from the disclosure if possible because it may stop them from hiring you. Yes, of course this is against the law, however, if they haven't hired you yet I'm sure they could give a reason for not hiring you that has nothing to do with the fact that you have MS. I'm really not sure whether you have to disclose this information on the forms if they ask. Hopefully it is possible to get hired first and then disclose the information if you have to. Maybe someone else on the message board knows the legality of some of your questions. Good luck with everything.

MSJayhawk · 11-18-2007, 07:59 PM

You have no legal obligation to divulge your MS. If your MS causes a safety concern on your job or if you require workplace modifications, then you can divulge and request modification or job duty changes.

helricha · 11-18-2007, 08:53 PM

wow. thanks for responding so quickly on this subject. I'm glad that I don't legally have to divulge the info. That's good to know. There is a clause on the form that says that if I omit anything then that is terms for discharge.
I think the whole thing stinks.

MSNik · 11-19-2007, 04:34 AM

Hey Helricha. I went thru exactly this a year ago. I was dx in November, and in December, started a new job. I was asked to fill out similar forms. After much arguing with my family and then consulting my doctor (and his nurse, she was really helpful) I was also told, NO LEGAL REASON TO DISCLOSE THIS INFO!
So, I didnt. About 3 months into the job I had my first relapse and had to take 2 days off work to deal with opthmologists and go see my MS doctor. Unbeknown to my work, I came back with a shunt in my arm, to do my Solu-Medrol ! IT was all tucked up under a business suit, they didnt even know it was there! At that time, I told my manager, they think I might have MS !! He was like "really?" I said yeah- they think I might have had it for some time, but rigth now , they are going to have to do some more tests on me to find out. He actually was human enough to say "take the rest of the week off and do what you need to do, but please get us a doctors note justifying the week off". That was easy. I had already gotten the note (due to going on the steroids for JUST IN CASE). I returned the following week and really, no one said much at all.
I didnt share with anyone that I actualy have MS. I did call the insurance company to make sure that all my ducks were in a row. I learned there, that because of HIPPA laws, they cant tell your employer anything, but they can find out anything they want from prior insurance companies, and from your physician....so, you really cant lie to them, however you can choose when to start using them. For instance, I have coverage under my husbands work. I have never submitteed a claim to my own coverage! If you need to start using this insurance company immediately, be sure to call them to find out what your rights are and to make sure there is no pre-existing condition clause...
good luck with this. And, by the way, its now been a year. 3 people know I have MS and none of them know any details~! We keep it very low key!
Nikki