I was seen by a doctor and was given the results of my tests. My husband's aunt has the same doctor and had an appointment with him later that day. The doctor told her my results and medical history. My husband and I are the only ones to receive any information about my medical history (past, present and future). I am so upset.

I'm shocked but what is your question - ?

What can I do about the situation and not let this doctor do this to me again? Isn't this a violation to the HIPAA law I signed?

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For whatever reason your question/answer posted 3 times.

You would report this violation to HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

And, again, I am SHOCKED that this happened to you. I'd be furious - and you probably are.

Yes this is a violation of HIPAA, but I'm not sure what you mean by "signed". You may have signed an acknowledgment that you were informed of your HIPAA rights. But that's all it was, an acknowledgment.

You can and should report this to HIPAA, use the link that Judy posted. What will happen is an investigation will be done and the doctor will probably be fined. He may be forced to also apologize to you.

I would also start looking for a new doctor. After you have reported him I wouldn't trust this doctor to treat you fairly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScottGem

yes this is a violation of HIPAA, but I'm not sure what you mean by "signed". You may have signed an acknowledgment that you were informed of your HIPAA rights. But that's all it was, an acknowledgment.

You can and should report this to HIPAA, use the link that Judy posted. What will happen is an investigation will be done and the doctor will probably be fined. he may be forced to also apologize to you.

I would also start looking for a new doctor. After you have reported him I wouldn't trust this doctor to treat you fairly.

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I would guess she signed an acknowledgement of HIPAA as you said, and also a privacy waiver giving her husband access to her info. I agree- find a new doc as well.

To the OP - report it ASAP.

I agree - she signed the waiver to release the info to her husband (possibly) OR an acknowledgement that she received the HIPAA info.

Thank you so much for your answers.. and yes it was a HIPAA acknowledgement, sorry for the confusion. The doctor called me and apologized and said he knew better, but thought since it was a family member it would be all right. Anyway... thank you again for your quick responses, will be following up on the information you have provided.

Please do - this is almost beyond belief. Just out of curiousity - is it an older Doctor? I can't imagine anyone who is familiar with HIPAA doing such a thing - !

Yes.

Old or old and senile?

My gosh - my late husband was DYING and we were arguing about HIPAA and what they could tell me because the (fill in the word stupid) Hospital couldn't find the HIPAA release which ran to me and could only find one that was six years old, before he met me, and ran to his daughter.

Mistakes happen in reverse, too, I would imagine.

Totally inexcusable!