I’m unsure if this is the right place to ask this question, but I need somebody to help me. So I am currently smoking and I do not want my employer to find out. I work in community health and definitely should not be smoking and I don’t know what would happen if my employer found out I did. I want to get quitting smoking medication through my insurance (this insurance is through my employer), but I’m afraid to tell my doctor and have my employer find out. I’m in the state of Maine, and it might be helpful to know that I work for a hospital (IDK if this matters).
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HIPAA exists for this reason. Your employer will not know about your smoking.
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Thank you. I thought that HIPAA protected this, but I guess I just needed someone else to tell me that. I appreciate the help.
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Your employer won’t find out about any claims you make or what your doctor prescribes.
However, if your employer charges a smoking surcharge for their medical plan, lying about that could cause problems for you.
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I’d have to look into if there is a smoking surcharge. They didn’t ask me if I smoked or to certify that I don’t smoke, so I’m assuming they don’t have that, but I’ll look into it just in case. Thank you for your help. I was most concerned about telling my doctor that I smoked and that my employer would find out.
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Not as issue unless you have certified you are a non smoker or are subjected to nicotine testing.
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They haven’t asked me to certify that, and I think nicotine testing is illegal in the state of Maine, if not, they haven’t tested me for it. Thank you!