Hi I have a friend she's a dentist she I think violated hipaa and patient confidentiality a lot to me telling me about her patients and there treatment an brought home there exam papers and also told me about my cuzzins treatments what should I do or can I do

There are HIPPA violations there. You can correlate patient treatments with the patient, so their confidential information is known by a third party, yourself. I Think it is only with your cousin though. Unless she was saying that Joe Doe of 123 huckberry lane had a pubic hair stuck between his teeth. Just saying that you had a patient that had XXXX isn't so much of one I Think.

I don't think there is any violation here, unless you want to start trouble for your 'friend' I would not take it any further.

You could tell her that you didn't appreciate the information. She did not give financial information, social security numbers connected with these people did she ? Well then, no violation.

Cousins, even spouses have the same right to privacy as anyone. So yes, it's a HIPAA violation, but this is a case of two people talking, so there's no paper or electronic proof. You are free to tell her to stop and watch out, because sooner or later some stupid little fact might slip out and she is going to get sued.

When I worked for a big insurance company, I saw an investigation company get sued by a man whose wife found out a secret. And that was before HIPAA. HIPAA is mostly about electronic transfer of medical information within the medical community.

If your friend revealed details of her patients diagnosis and treatment that certainly was a HIPAA violation. But why did you listen? Why didn't you just tell her that she shouldn't be telling you those things.

This is absolutely a HIPAA violation. If you don't want to cause trouble for your friend ignore this instance. If she does it again politely let her know that you realize this is a violation and you would prefer not to hear any more.

Ok I never since said one word to any one but she has also turned on me tryn to make my life hellish but that's not the onle thing she also told me that my cuzzins girlfriend came and got her tooth pulled and was a baby threw the whole thing and came back the next day and wZnted pain pills cause she wAs in pain that's not the only thing she brought home "work" with her and made front of her bosses teeth an showed me her exam papers that has personal info on it like ss# n the things she needed done to her teeth

Also she tells me about people she worked on and what she does to them and how they didn't like the way dentures felt and she was mad lol is that a hipaa violation?

She's no longer my friend by the way

She talks a lot about her pts like how one guy picks out his feelings so he can have her out them back in an also now that his Medicare or what ever does not cover it no more he hasn't been in

Yes. This is all a HIPAA violation. If you wish, you can report her to the office manager of her practice.

I did n they said not to contact them and they do not have an investigation team

Do I need to tell my cuzzins to go after her or the CEO of the health center

Right now it's hearsay. Just be the bigger person and let it go. Neither you or your cousin will get anything out of this. Most likely the dentist in question will only be reprimanded by her manager.

Yeah but how would I know about all if this? N fee CEO of the clinic she's at now she says he stares her up n down so I didn't think it will go nowhere

Ur rite I'll let it go

An I'm not looking to get anything out if it

An I'm not looking to get anything out if it

This is sounding more and more like a family feud. LET IT GO. It's not worth ruining someone's career over. Take the high road and stay out of all of it.

Nah it's not family feud I love my fam it's the wAy she puts down the Native American community n she also done me wrong what a better way to wKe her up

If this is about being vindictive you won't be believed. Just be the bigger person and move on.

Well this all didn't stRt it she's being sued for slander and her clinic for other reasons Wich started it

Also I took pics of people exam papers on her home kitchen table ssn and everything on it still tbink I won't be believed?

People can take work home. But you started this referring to a friend. Doesn't sound like either of you are good friends to the other.

They can't take pts records home n yes we r not friends no more

Yes, we can take work home with us.

Now, you could be in trouble for taking the pictures. That was none of your business but you made it yours by taking pictures. You didn't care about HIPAA then, but you do now. Very vindictive.

Again, you can report it, but you won't get anything out of it. Monetary awards aren't given for reporting HIPAA violations.

What caused this for you to be so malicious?

I must say I'm glad I don't have friends that are as merciless and spiteful as you seem to be. Why can't you just let it go and move on?

First of all it wasn't even her patient it was another dentist pt she showed it to me n laffed about it n tossed it on the table so she made it my business this is not the only thing she's done or talked about or shared with me she also had me come in her office n count pt numbers on her computer n a lot of other things she's did me very wrong so I'll do the sanme n no doctors didn't take pts files home to show...

Your information will have almost no weight and because of your vindictive nature, will not really be believed. Copies of them may only show, that you did something wrong, if you can not prove they were showing them to you.

Yes, doctors can take files home, happens all the time.

If you want something done, you, not anyone else, you go to the doctors office and ask for file a complaint, they will be required to take the complaint.

Again, it is permitted to take patient files home under certain circumstances. But it is not permitted to show those files to unauthorized people. So the bottom line here is you report it to HIPAA (How To File a Complaint (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/)), sever your contacts with this person and move on.