Medical tests and costs

[Cobra1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

My employer requires an annual physical and pays for such with a doctor of their choosing.

Their doctor will not clear me unless I take a specialized test which is not normally required of all employees, and is not covered under my insurance.

The out of pocket cost will be $1,000 or more.

They state that this qualification is a job requirement.

Can they legally refuse to pay for this test which is being required by their doctor and which I do not want to take?

 

[justalayman]

I'm missing something here:

My employer requires an annual physical and pays for such with a doctor of their choosing.

Their doctor will not clear me unless I take a specialized test which is not normally required of all employees, and is not covered under my insurance.

You say your company pays for the physical. The test is part of the physical, therefore the employer pays for the test, yes?

 

[Cobra1]

I'm missing something here:


You say your company pays for the physical. The test is part of the physical, therefore the employer pays for the test, yes?

No. The company doctor ordered I take this test and will not clear my physical unless I do.
The test must be done by a specialist and the company is refusing to pay for it.
Also this test has potentially damaging side-effects which I would rather avoid.

 

[cbg]

What did the company doctor find that is leading him to believe that this test is necessary?

 

[justalayman]

what is the reason that you get selected to take this test? and what is your occupation?

 

[Cobra1]

what is the reason that you get selected to take this test? and what is your occupation?

The doctor cited my admission to some symptoms in the past and denied my qualification based on my statements to him.
I don't want to get too specific and reveal my identity but my job is technical and involves working in demanding conditions at times.

 

[Cobra1]

Does anyone have the answer to my original question please???

 

[pattytx]

Personally, I think the company SHOULD pay for it, IF passing the physical is required for you to keep your job. However, I know of no law that is going to require them to.

Is this doctor you went to of the company's choosing?

 

[Cobra1]

Personally, I think the company SHOULD pay for it, IF passing the physical is required for you to keep your job. However, I know of no law that is going to require them to.

Is this doctor you went to of the company's choosing?

Yes. The company uses a specific office for their physicals and there are 2 or 3 doctors there.

I did go to my regular doctor to see if they could help. They said that without a specific reason they would not prescribe me to take this test.

Thanks

 

[Cobra1]

Does anyone have info on the company's responsibility in this matter?

 

[pattytx]

Apparently not. Call the state Dept. of Labor.

 

[Proserpina]

I am familiar with all employment physicals and none require a 1000 dollar test. Is there a typo here? If not, what is this $1000 test??? I'm working under demanding conditions right now trying to figure this guy out ... I need a $1000 test. Sounds like you took a test during a physical (like a lung function test for wearing a respirator as required per OSHA regs) and failed. Then the company told you & then you asked them if another test could be performed & then they said yes, but to counter the original test it would require a more extensive & expensive test. Is this the case & if so, what do I win?

What is your background?

I can think of several occupations which may require additional medical testing costing thousands of dollars.

(Granted most of the time the company pays, but there are occasions where they won't)

 

[Proserpina]

This is the only way I could see a company asking you to pay for a medical test .... I am awaiting any info from OP. What is your background?

This is what you said:

I am familiar with all employment physicals and none require a 1000 dollar test.

Are you seriously suggesting that you know the hiring and testing procedures of every single company operating within the US?

Now, if you'd like to provide a cite, some case-law perhaps, anything at all to back up your stance...I'm more than willing to learn.

I'm even willing to admit when I'm wrong.

In this instance however....I know I don't need to do that.

 

[Proserpina]

Well, you have offered no explaination for the case here .. but I think you agree that employers do pay for employment physicals. So use those grey cells and provide your hypothesis. Mine is still not unproven by facts.

Alright, so you've basically agreed that you cannot prove what you stated earlier.

Okay, it's not like it's the first time this has ever happened.

 

[lealea1005]

I am familiar with all employment physicals and none require a 1000 dollar test

.

Really?? hmmmmmm....

I've run into this several times with employment physicals. Perhaps you technically meet the requirements for employment, but with your medical condition/history, the examining Physician (you know, the one with the education and experience ) isn't comfortable accepting the liability of clearing you without further testing.

The company may be willing to pay for the employment physical and basic testing (blood chemistry or blood count and urinalysis)but no further testing.

Just one example that immediately comes to mind is an employees who is required to wear a respirator on the job, but who also has a past medical history of asthma or other lung issue. The examining Physician may want a chest x-ray and further pulmonary testing...and yes, it may cost as much as $1000 when all is said and done.

That's just one example...want others?

Is that enough grey matter for you?