Issue

Identification of your medical needs

Background

Your experience with cancer may influence how you approach insurance coverage and employment . Because of your experience, particular issues need to be considered. It is important that you are aware of your medical needs and past medical records, in order to know how to best prepare yourself for coverage and employment.

Information

It is wise to have a summary of your treatment (surgery, chemotherapy doses, amount of radiation and location) in your present medical record and with you if you travel a distance from your local physician. If you are dealing with late effects from your therapy and have received treatments, or are still receiving treatment, it is beneficial to have documentation of that also.

You legally do not have to mention your previous cancer on an employment application. It is important, however, to assess whether that information can be accessed from a previous employment contact or in a company physical. It is important to decide what is in your best interest.

If you are under a physician's care for an ongoing issue, or anticipate future problems, it is important to consider these details when applying for a job. Check with the employer to see if they are covered by insurance with open enrollment. Open enrollment means that after a specified period of time, you are automatically enrolled in the insurance no matter what your previous or present medical needs are.