Q: Can insurance companies require HIV testing upon application for insurance?
A: In Ohio, insurance
companies can, in general, require HIV testing for applicants, so long as they do so without unlawfully picking out one group of people.
Insurance companies can
report the results of such a test to the Medical Information Bureau (MIB), or other insurance reporting services. Most of the information in MIB files refers to
medical history, but such subjects as drug abuse, sexual orientation, and general "lifestyle" issues are also included. You can get a copy of your
MIB files by writing
to:
MIB
P.O. Box 105
Essex Station
Boston, MA 02112
OBERLIN
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Oberlin College Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Union 216-775-8131
Box 88, Wilder Hall Oberlin OH 44074
OXFORD
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Miami University Gay/ Lesbian Alliance 513-529-1688 PO Box 381
Oxford OH 45056
Oxford Crisis and Referral Center
513-523-4146
111 East Walnut Street Oxford OH 45056
PAINESVILLE
AIDS RESOURCES
Lake County General Health District
216-354-AIDS
105 Main Street
Painesville OH 44077
COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS
HUGS East 216-257-3627 PO Box 15
Painesville OH 44077
PORTSMOUTH
AIDS RESOURCES
Portsmouth Health Department 614-353-8863
740 Second Street Portsmouth OH 45662
Southern Ohio AIDS Task Force 614-353-3339 PO Box 1287 Portsmouth OH 45662
RAVENNA
AIDS RESOURCES
Portage County AIDS Task Force 216-297-0811
Robinson Memorial Hospital 6847 North Chestnut Street Ravenna OH 44266
SANDUSKY
AIDS RESOURCES
Erie County AIDS Task Force 419-626-5623 PO Box 375 420 Superior Street Sandusky OH 44870
BARS
Your Place Or Mine 419-627-9192
402 West Water Street
SPRINGFIELD
AIDS RESOURCES
AIDS Support Group 521 Scott Street Springfield OH 45505
Carlos Andarsio AIDS Project 513-324-7623
301 South Fountain Avenue Springfield OH 45506
Springfield HIV Testing Site 513-328-2665
BARS
Gaslite Inn 513-324-0383
638 West Main Street
Why Not 513-324-9304
5 North Murray Street
STEUBENVILLE
AIDS RESOURCES
Jefferson County Task Force on Aids 614-283-6050
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Committee for Justice c/o Urban Mission Ministry 301 North Fifth Street Steubenville OH 43952
BARS
David's Lounge 614-282-5842
160 North Fourth Street
TOLEDO
ADDICTION/RECOVERY
GROUPS
Alcoholics Anonymous 419-472-8242
Al-Anon
419-249-0636
Gay Overeaters Anonymous 419-841-8555
Lesbian Open AA 419-244-9057
AIDS/HIV RESOURCES
AIDS Family Support Group 419-535-1745 419-472-3004
David's House of Compassion 419-243-7400 PO Box 391 Toledo OH 43691
NOVA Project 419-244-6682 PO Box 4937 Toledo OH 43620
Toledo Area AIDS Task Force
419-242-4777
419-242-AIDS (Hotline)
525 Hamilton St Suite 302A Toledo OH 42602
Toledo Health Department 419-245-1710
635 North Erie Street Toledo OH 43624
Wellness Group Toledo 419-242-6682 PO Box 797 Toledo OH 43695
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Crossroads (transvestites) 313-446-0782
OWLS
(Gay/Lesbian seniors) 419-242-9057
PFLAG
419-243-9351
PO Box 2448 Toledo OH 43606
Womyn's Vineline 419-531-0644. PO Box 178079 Toledo OH 43615
POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS
PRO-Toledo 419-243-9351
PO Box 4642
Toledo OH 43610
Q: Are medical records confidential?
A: Doctor-Patient communications are generally regarded as strictly confidential. However, if you do have AIDS, your name will be reported to the government health authorities. This may hold true in the near future for
HIV positive persons.
Of course, if you sign a release, (to your doctor, insurance company, employer, etc.) you give up your rights to such confidentiality. Be careful about what you sign.
18. THE OHIO GAY GUIDE
THE OHIO GAY GUIDE · 19