Urine Drug Testing versus Hair Drug Testing
So, you are mulling over the idea of drug testing your employees and now wonder what approach would better suit your organization.
As you can see, there are several options to choose from, such as urine drug testing, saliva drug testing, hair drug testing, and blood test. But for the purpose of this article, let’s tackle the pros and cons of urine drug testing and hair drug testing — two of the widely used drug testing methods in various industries today.
Urine Drug Testing
This method can be performed using an integrated test cup, dip strip, dip card, or cassette drug testing kits for instant results. Aside from being less expensive, urine drug testing is often preferred because it provides results within just a few minutes. Instant urine drug test kits are easy to store and dispose without causing harm to the environment. The window of detection can go anywhere from 1-3 days, depending on the substance/s detected. For cannabis, the detection period is up to 14 days.
On the other hand, some people detest this method because it is invasive in nature. Urine samples are also easier to adulterate as people have discovered sophisticated ways to tamper collected specimens. The limited detection window is another factor making some organizations to use other testing method. Still, urine drug testing offers convenience when it comes to random drug testing employees.
Hair Drug Testing
The most desirable benefit of this method is its ability to detect drugs for up to 90 days. It is often used by organizations with zero tolerance on drug use. With just a few strands of hair (must include the roots), a lab professional can detect various types of banned substances present in a person’s body. Samples are also easy to store and the collection method itself is non-invasive.
But unlike urine drug testing, hair follicle test requires lab analysis; therefore, you’ll need to wait for a few days before you will know the result. Additionally, the detection of drug usage depends on the length of the donor’s hair.
The effects of marijuana use on life insurance rates
With eighteen states accompanied by Washington DC now allowing marijuana for medicinal use, you and your clients may be wondering how life insurance companies are viewing this new outlook on marijuana usage.
Nearly 40% of the states have legalized the medical use of this substance. In addition, eleven more states have pending or failed legislation. Scientific research has unveiled medical benefits to marijuana that were once unknown. Life insurance underwriters are now faced with how to rate the usage of this medicinal substance.
Medical marijuana is used to treat a wide array of diseases and illnesses including, but not limited to, chronic pain, insomnia, unintentional weight loss, nausea, premenstrual syndrome, asthma, and glaucoma.
The eighteen states (along with Washington DC) that have now legalized marijuana are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
With so many states legalizing the medical benefits of this drug, will life insurance companies also acknowledge the good? The answer: It depends.
Must do
These tips will help your clients get approved for life insurance if they use marijuana. First the applicant needs to disclose the marijuana use information up front. If marijuana shows up on blood or urine tests, without the applicant telling the carrier, the applicant will be declined. All carriers will require a drug questionnaire when you disclose this information upfront, as they will want to know the reasons for use as well as how often. All carriers will also require a urine test.
Each life insurance company has its own guidelines and underwriting rules; therefore the use of marijuana is viewed differently by each. Some companies will rate applicants as a standard smoker, giving them double the rates of those as a nonsmoker while others are okay for occasional use. The rules and ratings vary widely. Let’s take a look.
Ratings for the marijuana user
Marijuana usage is not viewed as other drugs such as cocaine, for example. Testing positive for THC will not lead to a flat rejection of a life insurance policy. However, the use of this substance can result in receiving a cigarette smoker’s rates, which are substantially higher than those of a non-smoker.
Life insurance classifications for a marijuana user are guidelines and are not set in stone; they can change at any time per the company consideration. Also other health conditions could change consideration. The majority of the company information below comes from a blog researched and written by Jeff Root, owner of Root Financial.
● American General: Smoking marijuana more than twice monthly could result in the rates of a smoker with the possibility of a table rating. Smoking two times per month will set the rating as a standard non-smoker. Applicants who smoke two times a year or less could be rated as a preferred best non-smoker.
● Banner Life: Applicants could be considered a standard smoker with occasional use. They could be rated as a substandard table B smoker with daily use.
● Fidelity: A standard smoker classification will be given if there is any marijuana use in the past 12 months. However, an applicant be classified as a sub-standard smoker if medical marijuana is prescribed.
● Genworth Financial: Applicants who use marijuana eight times a month or less could be classified as a standard smoker. Users who smoke more than eight times may be considered a sub-standard smoker. Also, this company does not recognize prescription use of marijuana.
● ING Reliastar: If marijuana is prescribed, users could be classified as a Table 4 Smoker. With daily use, they could be classified as a preferred smoker.
● Lincoln Benefit: If a prescription is shown on one’s medical records and usage is stated on the application, applicants could be classified as a non-smoker. Occasional users without a prescription can be classified as a standard smoker.
● Lincoln National: Applicants can use marijuana up to two times per week and be classified as a
standard non-smoker. Usage of 3-4 times a week will result in a sub-standard Table B non-smoker rating. Applicants will be declined if they use marijuana more than four times per week.
● Met Life: Applicants who otherwise would merit a preferred plus rating and uses marijuana occasionally (once a month to once a week) could get a preferred plus non-smoker rating. (More than once a week is equivalent to a smoker’s rate.) Daily use could be a table 4 rating. Heavy users could be declined.
● Mutual of Omaha: Applicants will rate as a standard nons-moker with up to weekly use. If lab results indicate more frequent usage, then smoker rates will apply.
● Minnesota Life: Applicants who test positive for THC could be given a smoker table 3 rating. Occasional or recreational users will be given preferred non-smoker rates but will have to test negative for THC.
● North American: Applicants over 25 years old who use marijuana 3-8 times per month could be rated a standard smoker. If they use 8-16 times a month they could be rated as high as a table 2 smoker. More than 16 times a month will be declined.
● Protective Life: Marijuana use could result in a standard smoker rating.
● Prudential Financial: Using marijuana up to two times per month and testing negative for THC will qualify applicants as a standard plus non-smoker. A Table B non-smoker (even with THC positive lab tests) rating will be applied if usage is up to four times per week. Usage over four times weekly will be declined.
● Transamerica - Marijuana smokers could be considered a standard smoker rate class with no other health issues.
Researching the companies
As you can see, life insurers’ ratings for marijuana users vary widely. Even if medical marijuana is prescribed, applicants could be still be classified as a smoker or declined. For those of your clients who use marijuana medicinally or recreationally, it is essential that you, as their advisor, research life insurance companies before applying. When combined with other health problems, marijuana usage will not be well received by an insurance underwriter.
Applicants who already have a life insurance policy in force may be paying unnecessarily high rates. Each company’s insurance underwriters view the use of marijuana differently. Don’t let your clients pay high life insurance premiums if less expensive alternatives are available.
http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2013/06/19/exploring-the-effects-of-marijuana-use-on-life-ins?page=2
What Drugs Do Life Insurance Companies Test For?
Urinalysis is becoming an increasingly popular means for employers, insurers and government agencies to determine the risk profiles of the individuals with whom they interact. While pre-employment drug screenings have been routine for many years, these tests are becoming more prevalent in other areas of the economy as well. If you're applying for a life insurance policy, you might be surprised to learn that you'll be subject to a urine test for certain legal and illegal substances.
If your policy comes with a particularly large face value, you might be subject to an even more rigorous screening. This might come in the form of a blood test or hair-follicle exam. The former may accurately reveal your substance-use history over the preceding three to five months. The latter may accurately measure your substance-use history over the preceding six to nine months.
Although urine tests are far more time-sensitive, they can still reveal evidence of substance abuse within the past few days. For some substances, this look-back window may be a bit longer. For instance, marijuana may remain detectable in urine samples for up to one month after the subject's most recent indulgence.
When you apply for a life insurance policy, you'll probably need to submit to a urine test during the course of your pre-approval medical exam. Unlike certain pre-employment drug screenings that may only test for a few illicit substances, this test is likely to be comprehensive. You'll be tested for metabolic evidence of illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, opiates, barbiturates, amphetamines and others. If the screening reveals evidence of any of these substances, you'll be asked to submit to a more sensitive "confirmation" test.
If this test also comes back with a positive reading, your insurance application will probably be denied without comment. After all, your insurance provider will assume that your illegal drug use puts you at risk for a life-threatening overdose or other serious health complications.
If you test positive for non-illegal medications like certain painkillers, you may be asked to produce a prescription for the drugs. Without such a prescription, your coverage application could be denied outright. Meanwhile, you may also be tested for certain legal substances like caffeine and nicotine. If you test positive for caffeine, your insurer may conclude that you're at a slightly higher risk of life-shortening cardiovascular problems and raise your rates accordingly. If you test positive for nicotine metabolites, you'll be forced to pay significantly more for your coverage.
Law Dictionary: What Drugs Do Life Insurance Companies Test For?
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