I am livid - "positive" drug test

[phylny]

Our adult child "Pat" needed to see a psychiatrist because of depression and anxiety. Pat went, saw the psychiatrist, and told both the nurse practitioner and technician that he was currently taking prescribed cough medicine at night, and showed them the label. Pat had a mandatory drug screen and was just sent a letter that the practice will no longer see him due to the presence of "codeine, morphine, and probably heroin."

What recourse does he have? I'm really pissed off. "Probably heroin" my ass.

[marylandblue]

1. prescription cough medicine contains codeine

Have the doctor that prescribed the cough medicine write a letter to the psychiatrist explaining the situation. Or get a new psychiatrist. He sounds like an idiot.

[phylny]

2. Yes, he knew it had codeine in it, and that's why he told the office AND SHOWED THEM THE

FREAKING label. Sorry, not yelling at you

Once he gets this cleared up, he's heading on to a new psychiatrist.

[Warpy]

7. The test is ridiculously broad and shows only opioid metabolites

I'm on an opioid pain medication long term and have recently had to start doing pee tests because the DEA, unable to get up the nerve to tell Big Pill to stop diverting fentanyl to street dealers, has cracked down on arthritic people and other pain patients. My test also showed positive for a whole list of opiates I haven't been near since the 60s.

I would send that stupid practice a letter stating just what you've told us and that you will not be returning to that pack of illiterate fools in the future since their carelessness and inattention would put him at risk.

By the way, it does no good to show the lab any labels, they won't record them. The medical practice needs to see it. Since he did that, the office is very much at fault here for not checking his record and only acting on their jerking knees.

If they want patients coming through the door, maybe they'll be more careful from now on if you let them have it.

[OregonBlue]

4. He/She does in fact sound like an idiot. I'd look for another psychiatrist.

[elleng]

3. A 'private' group/practice?

Only recourse I can think of (quickly) is to speak with an apparent rational 'manager,' and discuss calmly the obvious foolishness of applying the 'policy' in this situation. (Are they without ANY patients during winter/cold-cough months?) And emphasize that Pat told both the nurse practitioner and technician.

[still_one]

5. He would need to see an attorney to see what his legal rights are in the state you live

Is there a reason he can't go to another practice?

Also, is there an appeal process?

[unblock]

6. that certainly sucks! but i'm not sure what recourse you're looking for.

i wouldn't want that practice treating me or anyone in my family anyway.

that said, if you're looking for leverage for something, then it sounds like you have a case that the drug screen was an unnecessary test because they knew in advance what the result would be.

i would refuse to pay anything to that practice, and if they try to get reimbursement from your insurance, i would tell them that it was an unnecessary test.

[phylny]

9. The only recourse is clearing his record so that he can put it behind him and find

another practice. The drug test was apparently sent to an out-of-network lab and the cost is estimated over $1,000.

[unblock]

10. i'd talk to a lawyer, this sounds like an unethical outfit, at a minimum.

i would think a respectable psychiatrist would *want* to treat someone who was abusing narcotics anyway.

and sending a test (an unnecessary one, at that!) to an out-of-network lab is a big red flag for me. all insurance companies have in-network labs, there's really no excuse for going out of network.

they're trying to charge $1,000 for giving nothing of value in return.

[MFM008]

8. My sisters work

Did something like this to her about Percocet, she had used pills even though it was within a year of getting a perscription. She had used it as a last resort for pain and they P-tested her. She went to the Dr to prove she had had a prescription and they backed down.
Get a copy of prescription see what happens.

[janterry]

11. It all depends

Is this a private or public clinic. Is it a private psychiatrist or one affiliated with something else.

The general rule is that clinics can set their own rules. And some clinics will not treat someone who is taking a prescribed medication. I've worked with plenty of clinics that won't treat a substance abuser who is also taking SSRI's (for instance).

So, if it's one psychiatrist in a private clinic, I'd attempt to clarify. Find out the reason for the rule - who made it - and how the clinic is organized.

Call and ask questions. If they won't treat your child - then who will (they should be able to provide a referral).

Also - just an after thought - Do you have the full story (I trust you do, but sometimes some of the details they will give the patient differ when it is 'retold' - I'm saying this because your child is an adult and so information is mediated through them. Perhaps they forgot a detail??).

Finally, I"d make sure that it is inserted into their record that your adult child was prescribed a medication that gave the 'false positive' (if you will). You don't want a failed test to look like your child was taking an illegal script.

Good luck

[phylny]

12. Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

It is a private psychiatric doctor. The letter (saw a screenshot of it) stated they would not treat due to him "not disclosing" he was taking drugs. Now, it's possible that he didn't tell them he was prescribed cough medicine, but I honestly doubt it - he works for a different sort of medical office and knew he was being drug tested and was asked if he was taking any other prescribed medication, mentioned the acne medicine, both oral and topical, and the cough medicine. They suggested he follow up with another office for "drug addition counseling/treatment."

Yes, good idea about the record correction so it doesn't follow him.