Clinic workers- could you explain HIPAA?

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Neither DH or myself are on any medications. However, after our annual physicals, our doctors orders some blood work and I received a call from the clinic regarding the results. My DH was at work so I clearly stated to the caller that while they did not have to discuss his results with me, I was prepared to provide them with a pharmacy name if any medications were needed, and that I could schedule any follow up appointments for my DH. They refused to talk to me on either issue, and ended up bothering DH at work. He then gave them verbal permission to talk to me and they called me back. Does HIPAA really prevent a wife from providing the name of a drugstore, or scheduling an appointment?

conlt · ‎03-16-2010

Yes it does. I had to fill out paperwork at my mothers doctors office to be an approved person to talk too. They always ask me who I am. It is difficult when I am ordering her medicines because I pose as her on the phone. I tried to fill out the paperwork with her Prescription company. It was so complicated that I did it wrong and they rejected it. That is why I pose as her to simplify things. My mother does not know what drugs she is on or what they are for so she could not be independent in that. HIPPA is a pain but it is necessary too I think.

Lacey1 · ‎03-09-2010

It prevents the health care provider from discussing ANY aspect of a patient's health care with anyone but the patient, or someone designated by the patient.

Mary Bailey · ‎03-09-2010

Information is for the patient only. A spouse or parent of an adult child cannot have access unless the patient gives specific permission.

You can both complete HIPAA forms to release info to each other. You would need to do that for each medical entity and your insurance carrier. The forms will let you specify what info can be given and the duration of the permission.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

This is interesting because my niece called me in tears. It seems that she was involved in a car accident back a few years ago, not her fault. In order to get the bills paid she had to hire a lawyer.

She said the amount of money offered wasn't even enough to pay the Dr and hospital bills. I don't understand the process but now she is going to have to list (for the man who hit her's lawyer) every Dr she went to for 10 years! She said she has to list their names, phone numbers and what kind of Dr they are. My sister came on the phone and said that the woman who hit her's lawyer has the right to the records from every one of these Drs pertaining to my niece.

Her lawyer said the other side is looking to see if my niece ever mentioned having difficulty with her arm during any of these office visits.

So much for the HIPPA law! How does this give these people the right to 10 years of the Dr visits my niece went to? She's only 25 so the list won't be long, thank goodness.

Anyone ever been involved in a car accident with this problem?

Yardlie · ‎03-10-2010

She is apparently suing the other individual, so yes...she gives consent to provide that information to her attorney and the other attorney.

I had to do that also after a car accident. They will only pay out if they know your niece did not have a pre-existing condition to the injured area.

It took about 5 years to settle my claim, but I had serious injuries. The lawyer got 30%...but it was worth it.

A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal. ~~ Steve Maraboli

JuicyFruit · ‎03-28-2010

On 2/1/2014 annabellethecat said:
This is interesting because my niece called me in tears. It seems that she was involved in a car accident back a few years ago, not her fault. In order to get the bills paid she had to hire a lawyer.

She said the amount of money offered wasn't even enough to pay the Dr and hospital bills. I don't understand the process but now she is going to have to list (for the man who hit her's lawyer) every Dr she went to for 10 years! She said she has to list their names, phone numbers and what kind of Dr they are. My sister came on the phone and said that the woman who hit her's lawyer has the right to the records from every one of these Drs pertaining to my niece.

Her lawyer said the other side is looking to see if my niece ever mentioned having difficulty with her arm during any of these office visits.

So much for the HIPPA law! How does this give these people the right to 10 years of the Dr visits my niece went to? She's only 25 so the list won't be long, thank goodness.

Anyone ever been involved in a car accident with this problem?

THEY have the right to ASK her to provide the records. Clearly, they have a right to know if it was a condition she already had or something caused by the accident - they shouldn't pay for something she already had, right? How else would they know the truth? They simply can't take someone's word for it.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

I was on the HIPAA Team at the hospital when we were gearing up to go live with HIPAA. Two things come to mind:

1. You doctor's offices, ALL doctor's offices, should have presented you with a packet of HIPAA information for you to read. There would have been a line for you to print your name, sign your name and date the document. You should have been given a copy of this document for your records.

2. You should also have been given a document called "The Patient's Bill of Rights." This is usually a one page document which very simply states what your rights are as a patient. There are probably things here that you would never think of, so it's wise to have them copy your signed version for your records as well.

Also, you may want to go online to check with your state government with regard to this subject and "power of attorney." This is just some additional reading that will be good to have on board.

Anyway, get back to your doctors and ask them where the heck your HIPAA and Patient's Bill of Right documents are. They have a legal responsibility to provide you with those documents. If they don't, take them to the ethics committee of your state's American Medical Association.

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

I agree that they have the right to know if it was something she previously had but I would think the Drs would be sent a paper asking specific questions, like has she ever mentioned a problem with her arm.

How in the world can they have the right to all of my nieces medical records for 10 years? That's just crazy to me. Specifics yes, makes sense, but I told my sister, "If this goes to court and you are on the stand be sure to look over to the jurists and say, "So when you are on the table being examined by your GYN remember that 10 years down the line if some idiot should run into you, he has the right to everything said and done during that visit and for the next 10 years".

I told my sister that had I known about this I would have paid the Drs and hospital bills myself and she wouldn't have had to go through this. They were only under $60,000. Now with lawyers, Drs other fees, who knows.

Once something like that is collected, all in one package, it's somewhere forever.

Lapdog · ‎12-18-2012

My two cents. I have listed my family's names on a sheet of paper each year at my general practitioners and others for several years. I have also called my mother's doc and was able to discuss her needs with mom's permission. It works. But get this, I am now getting huge manila envelopes in the mail clearly labeled in bold type. Breast Clinic/ Cancer Center. ${#emotions_dlg.ohmy}$ So much for privacy huh! I don't mind so much but I'll guess a lot of folks do.