Life Insurance Notification of HIV Positive Result

[regretfulijit]

Ten years ago, I had sex with a white female escort in Atlanta. I was intoxicated and having a tough time cumming, so, I pulled out, at which time the condom came off inside her.  She went to the bathroom and pulled it out. I washed myself. She did not have another condom, so she finished me off with a handjob. Afterwards, we talked and she gave me her name and number to call her, directly (instead of going thru the service), which I never did. Honestly, I don't know how long I was exposed to her vaginal fluids. I never had any symptoms and felt that I was pretty much "safe." Three years ago, I applied for some life insurance. I signed an HIV consent form, which said I may be tested for HIV. The insurance company's guidelines specifically call for HIV testing in GA, which is listed as a high-risk HIV state, so, I'm pretty sure that I was tested, although I received no notification of the results.  I was denied coverage because my psa test was out of the normal range.  Recently, my significant other was diagnosed with congested heart failure. I read on WebMd that HIV infection could be a cause of CHF!  Is it possible that the insurance company would not have advised me that I tested positive for HIV, since they could use my abnormal psa results as the reason for denial?  I mean, since my psa was abnormal and if the HIV test was positive, they really only need one bad reason to deny me coverage. Could they have chosen to tell me only of the abnormal psa, and decided not to tell me of a positive HIV test result. Would that make any sense? Am I being too cynical? Wouldn't they be obligated to let me know if I tested positive for HIV?  If they didn't say anything about the HIV test, can I assume that it was negative or normal?  (Their guidelines say "No routine notification will be given if HIV test is normal.") Just trying to make sense out of this!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I have not heard of such cases -- I suppose this could have happened early in the AIDS era, i.e. back when there was uncertainty about the meaning of a positive HIV antibody test.  That era ended by 1990, and I doubt there have been any cases in recent years.  And I certainly would ignore such testimony from online postings.  There is no way (at least not in the US) that an insurance company would withhold or lie about an HIV test result.

That will end this thread.  If you have any remaining concerns or questions about it, I suggest you contact MetLife.

[regretfulijit]

There have been cases where insurance companies failed to notify applicants that they tested positive for HIV.  These applicants were denied insurance, of course, but they weren't told the reason. In my case, the insurance company gave me a reason, but I'm concerned that they may not have given me ALL the reasons.  Their literature says "if your HIV test results are normal, no routine notification will be sent to you. If your test results are positive, the Insurer will contact you."  So, I know what they are "supposed" to do, I just don't know if they did it, and I'm too scared to call them.  I can't get rid of this anxiety.

[regretfulijit]

I'm 99% confident that I was tested for HIV. What I'm not sure of is whether they are being completely honest about the reason for denial.  If I tested positive for HIV AND my PSA was too high, could they have chosen to tell me only of the PSA results, and not tell me of the HIV positive test results? This happened two years straight.  I thought I was good, but now I'm wondering is they just held back on the HIV results because they didn't need to use them to deny my application since the PSA result was sufficient enough.  I'm scared to call for fear that my suspicions may be true!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

First, I have never heard of HIV as a cause of congestive heart failure.   I've probably been involved in the care of 100+ patients with CHF in the past 10 years, and not once did HIV come up as a consideration.  There are many causes of CHF and the vast majority of cases have absolutely nothing to do with HIV.

Second, my understanding is that HIV testing is routine for life insurance applications.  While I cannot speak for MetLife's policies on this, if they obtained your written permission for HIV testing, you can assume it was done.  If so, for sure you would have been informed if the result were positive. So you ca be very confident your test results were negative.  However, if in doubt, why not just call them?

Your sexual lifestyle was low risk for HIV.  I can't say your risk was zero, but it is extremely low.  But if you can't get confirmation of your negative test result from the insurance company, see your personal physician or other clinic and have an HIV test.  I'm sure the result will be negative.

Feel free to return with a comment to let me know the result once you have been tested.  In the meantime, don't worry about HIV.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD