HIV testing mandatory?

[nana070710]

Is Hiv testing mandatory while your pregnant? I live in ny and today when i went to my ob the front desk wanted me to sign a paper for hiv testing and she said it was mandaroy and required by law BUT ON THE paper clearly said its voluntary any input??! I got tested in july and i know im clean just gets me upset that they said its mandatory i refused to sign and the lady was really annoyed and angry. Is this true??

[RockRose]

Technically,  it's mandatory that they test the baby's risk for HIV.  Whether they test you while you're pregnant,  or test the baby after you deliver,  the HIV test is mandatory in your state.

If you change doctors,  I doubt their paperwork person will treat you differently.  I doubt anyone working in an OB's office,  when getting you to sign the HIV testing form,  and having you say I don't want to be tested,  will say oh okay that's fine,  we'll just test the baby later, you're good.

Refusal to take the test is a red flag that you DO have HIV,  you know it,  and you don't want them to know.  From their perspective,  they'd be wondering what else you are hiding.

Same way you're wondering what else your OB office is going to tell you that isn't true.

[natste]

Have you got any paper work proving you have this done recently?  If so provide this and kindly tell them you do not want it to be done again! They cannot force you :)

[loveYou4Ever11]

whether your being lied to or not it shouldn't bother you that much..there best interest is for the baby. & most likely Dr.s will say anything to get you on the right track..idnt see what the big deal is. if you go to another ob it is likely they'll ask you to do the same thing..& if they do are you guna wanna switch obs again? not worth it & it is a waist of time honestly. but to each there own

[Future_Mommy1984]

It says right on the new york state public health regulations that it is not mandatory. However, it also states if there is no documentation of a negative HIV test provided at birth then it IS MANDATORY ATO TEST YOU NEW BORN BABY. Even if its not mandatory for you it clearly says it's mandatory for your new born. Just go read the website. Its right there in black and white. And I don't think the office lied to you. I work in a healthcare office and for our office it is mandatory to get HIV tested before delivery because you put health-care workers in harm's way If you do have HIV and don't disclose iT. WE tell everyone that it is mandatory FOR OUR OFFICE. just like you have a right to refuse to get it....your OB has a right to refuse to treat you deliver your baby. And most OBs will not keep you as a patient if you refuse. So I wouldn't get upset. It is mandatory for them just like any other OB office I've ever went to.

[Rng2006]

It's just a test, mandatory or not it to your benefit and your baby's.  I work at a medical office and we have a few patients here and there that refuse to sign certain papers, mainly HIPAA. In my eyes I see it as them just trying to be difficult because HIPAA laws are meant to benefit the patient. To me, taking the test is not a big deal at all. Maybe it's not required by law and the office is misinformed. Either way sometimes you need to choose your battles because the office does have the right to refuse service to you if you do not comply with the office regulations.

[jmesliger]

I specialize in HIV testing and counseling.  Im in detroit, and really its to see if you have it and if so, we can prevent the baby from getting it.but in all honestly no one can force you to get one, and no one can go against your will. You HAVE to consent to it. As medical professionals,  we treat everyone like tbey have the worst thing possible,  at least with like personal protection equipment (gloves, lab coats, face masks ect.)