Posted by Jeff on May 28, 1999, at 23:17:49
In reply to Depression, and future employment... , posted by Mare on May 28, 1999, at 8:38:14
> Now that I have been diagnosed as clinically depressed, I guess that my medical records will reflect this as a *mental illness.* I have been at the same job for 20 years, but have been thinking about leaving for new opportunities. Has anyone had problems with their diagnosis keeping them from job offers, or being accepted on a new insurance plan, etc., etc. I am a little concerned, since an individual's privacy, in this electronic world, is drastically diminishing. Thanks for your time.
First, there are laws in many states against discrimination due to mental illness. Most of them require an employer to provide "reasonable" accomodations to someone with mental difficulties. This is to say of course that this someone would be capable of performing the job description with such accomodations.
If you take a job that has mental health benefits in place, and you were covered for your mental illness by your previous employer in the 30 days prior to the new job's start date, then the new
"Pre-existing condition" law applies - the new insurance company is prohibitied by law from denying you coverage by way of a pre-existing condition clause. I think this law went into effect in July of 1997, and it was long long overdue.Next step is to prohibit pre-existing condition clauses altogether.
poster:Jeff
thread:6724
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/6775.html