I am a nurse and a few days ago accidentally got stuck with a possible infected needle. The problem I'm having is workmans comp. says they do not pay for prevention and will only pay for my meds. if I do contract HIV! Is this a common policy for w.c.? While my employer debates if they will pick up the tab I am currently paying for it due to it's time sensitive nature to start treatment. Please let me know if you have any info about this.

Thank You

B. Slaughter

This is a new one to me. I cannot imagine refusing to pay for one month of preventive treatment for a potentially very expensive infection. They may have a general policy that they don't pay for preventive care, but this is emergency antiretroviral therapy in response to a workplace exposure.

My guess is that you haven't been talking with the correct person. Stay focused, stay polite, take the name of the person you're speaking with and ask for that person's supervisor. Keep working up the chain if you need to. This is indeed, in my experience, a valid worker's comp claim. If no one at the insurer is willing to help you, take this concern to you state department of insurance. You're not asking for well baby care here; you're asking for treatment to keep a worker's comp injury from getting much worse.

I'm sorry they're giving you such a hard time, but you have a situation worth pursuing. Whatever you do, don't stop or postpone the treatment just because the financial issues are unresolved.