Nicotine Shows Up in Test

lifesales2009 · 11-05-2009, 08:18 PM

Does anyone have any advice on this situation? I currently have a client who tested positive for nicotine in her urine, but she claims that she never used nicotine in any form. Because she is a relative I have no reason not to believe her, nor should she have any reason to withhold that info to me. Is there anything anyone is aware of that can show up as nicotine in the urine, such as medication and so forth.

arnguy · 11-05-2009, 08:25 PM

Maybe she use that nicotine gum? Just sayin....

VolAgent · 11-05-2009, 08:28 PM

I'd recommend getting her alone and having a "Come to Jesus" moment. Odds are, she is and didn't admit it. Did you do the health questions with someone else present, perhaps her husband or child that she doesn't want to know?

---------------------------------------------------------

Also, be prepared to have UW go over the rest of the app with a fine-toothed comb. If it turns out she does use nicotine, in the carrier's eyes she has already lied once.

dgoldenz · 11-05-2009, 08:28 PM

Have it re-tested. If it shows up again, she's hiding something.

lifesales2009 · 11-05-2009, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by VolAgent

I'd recommend getting her alone and having a "Come to Jesus" moment. Odds are, she is and didn't admit it. Did you do the health questions with someone else present, perhaps her husband or child that she doesn't want to know?

I agree, but I would feel horrible if I found if theres medication out there that contains nicotine or she is inhaling it one way or another. Heres something else to consider: My life company said that from the levels of the test, the nicotine was consumed a few days or so before the test. I would hope she wouldn't willfully take nicotine in any form knowing she is about to be examined. But hey, who really knows......premiums jump up 300 more with tobacco rates..ouch

jdeasy · 11-05-2009, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by lifesales2009

Does anyone have any advice on this situation? I currently have a client who tested positive for nicotine in her urine, but she claims that she never used nicotine in any form. Because she is a relative I have no reason not to believe her, nor should she have any reason to withhold that info to me. Is there anything anyone is aware of that can show up as nicotine in the urine, such as medication and so forth.

I had this happen about 5 years ago with a lady I had known almost all my life, even used to date her daughter. I knew she not did not use tobacco and hated smoking and tobacco use.

Still, her exam was positive for nicotine. We tried to think of any possible way that it could happen other than a mistake at the lab and nothing came to mind. Her husband had passed several years before and she had new boyfriend. She wouldn't even let him smoke in the house she hated tobacco so much.

I was at her house so that we could call the insurance company together and see if they would retest or I was going to try again with another company. While on hold, she offered me a piece of gum. It was nicotine gum. I asked her if she used it and she said she did. She said that her boyfriend used it when they rode together because she wouldn't be in the car with him smoking. She had tied it and found that it didn't stick to her dentures and kept using it. She couldn't believe that was the reason for her positive test, but, it was. She agreed to not use the gum for one month and submit to retesting. That one was clean and she got preferred non tobacco.

It does happen.

VolAgent · 11-05-2009, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by lifesales2009

I agree, but I would feel horrible if I found if theres medication out there that contains nicotine or she is inhaling it one way or another. Heres something else to consider: My life company said that from the levels of the test, the nicotine was consumed a few days or so before the test. I would hope she wouldn't willfully take nicotine in any form knowing she is about to be examined. But hey, who really knows......premiums jump up 300 more with tobacco rates..ouch

Just get her alone and ask again, her reaction will tell you everything you need to know. I'd be willing to bet she was out with friends, bummed a cigarette and didn't even think about it. But now in the carrier's eyes she is a smoker.

arnguy · 11-05-2009, 08:36 PM

If she has a pet dog, she might try substituting its urine!

Sorry for the above pee poor reply.

The noun I was trying to use is verboten on this forum.

WinoBlues · 11-05-2009, 09:01 PM

Years ago we had the same thing. Company agreed to retest. came back negative. She got preferred. 1 time in 25 years.
I agree with VolAgent, time for the come to Jesus talk. Make sure she understands that you are also bound to silence. If you are independent, shop it. The Level of "allowable" nicotine will very by company or you may find a much lower smoker rate. Hey, if she is a closet chew and spitter, quote Prudential.