As the title says. Found out that my doctor’s office is again sending my results, appointment reminders etc. to my ex’s address. “Again” as in I’ve straightened this out twice before - only to have them revert a few months later. This is an address where I never lived, by the way. Doc’s office manager doesn’t think this is a big deal. I, on the other hand, am pretty unhappy about this. Am I right to be upset? Are there any regulations covering something like this? I like my doc, but this has me seriously considering changing. Big practice, by the way, part of a large regional provider.
Isn’t that a HIPPA violation?
If you’ve never lived there, how did they get the address? is your ex an emergency contact?
IMHO, you have every right to be upset. As you said this recurred after you talked to them once, bump it up the food chain, ether to the medical director or the facility privacy officer (or both). As GaryM said, it’s a HIPAA violation.
IANAD but I believe this is a very clear violation of patient confidentiality. I’d maybe give them a strong warning that if this happens even one more time, you’re reporting them. It’s probably not the doctor’s doing, but some clerk somewhere who didn’t get the memo.
Here’s how to report violations.
That is so seriously a HIPPA violation, it isn’t even funny. It’s something like a $10K fine and up to a year in prison for each offense. It doesn’t matter if it’s a clerical error - the clerk, the office manager, and the doctor can all get in trouble. HIPPA regulations are serious as a heart attack, and anyone who handles confidential patient information is required by law to get training once a year.
Here’s info on filing a complaint.
Damn you, GaryM!
It’s HIPAA, dammit.
Never take advice from people who spell it wrong.
(and yes, that’s a major violation)
Sorry Doc. I always get confused between HIPPA and HIPPO. :eek:
Not an emergency contact. Just also a patient at the practice, with the same (very unusual) last name.
Wow. That is seriously fucked up.
I would be very upset.
Happened to a colleague of mine. She, her ex-hubby and his new wife all went to the same doctor. Hilarity ensued. :rolleyes:
Serious HIPAA violation.
OK, that explains how it happens, although it doesn’t excuse it. You mentioned that you were thinking of changing doctors over this and that the “office manager doesn’t think this is a big deal.” Whether or not you choose to change doctors, you should light a fire under their asses until they realize that, yes, it’s a very big deal.
I’d be really, really, really upset. If you haven’t already, you need to speak to the doctor, not “somebody” in the office. His office has violated the law, not to mention your rights. I hope he’s a damned good doctor, because he isn’t much of an office manager.
Report this doctor to the state board. Don’t wait until it happens again. They don’t need to know that you did it, BTW.
THAT will light a fire under their butts, trust me on this.
Unlikely to have any such effect. It’ll take months for the board to investigate, and when they do, it won’t affect the doc unless the doc is actually in charge of the clinic and its operation (which is less and less common.)
Best go to the links provided earlier, and let the practice managers feel the heat, if they refuse to see the light.
I think it’s a serious violation and one that would make me consider changing doctors. I agree, talk to the doctor and not the office manager. You could always ask the doctor where you are supposed to report violations of this sort and see what kind of a reaction it is. Does your ex at least give you the envelopes unopened?
Having worked in medical insurance, sounds like the term “HIPAA violation” needs to find its way into your next conversation with this office, if your personal medical info is going to anyone other than you (or authorized party) without your consent.
How did they even get that address, anyway, if you’ve never lived there? Is your ex changing your address info on you? If so, why are they taking instructions from anyone other than you regarding your contact info, since you’re obviously a mentally competent adult?
Can your insurance company throw some weight behind you, such as by making “we won’t cover your patients any more if you aren’t going to meet your legal obligation to protect their confidential information” noises?
And another serious problem that nobody has even mentioned yet (perhaps because it’s just too obvious): Every notice that gets sent to someone who shouldn’t get it, isn’t getting sent to someone who should get it! OP could possibly be missing getting various notices (like test results) that he should be getting.