Ask Me Help Desk - Dental shenanigans/ HIPPA violation

This was my first dental visit this year, and I put it off due to my anxiety issues. It was an uncomfortable visit overall, and when I went to pay- I opted for a cash/card split. I stepped out to the ATM, and on my way back, I saw I had a voicemail. It was a three minute background recording of them talking about me/ other office gossip. I was really shell shocked and uncomfortable with going back so I headed home to decide what to do. I was looking online to e-mail them a written grievance/ deal with payment. I get a call from my aunt telling me the dental office called her regarding payment. She was my emergency contact, and I think they're completely out of line. What are my options at this point because I never want to talk to these people again.

First off... you should have had payment when you showed up for the appointment... they could have rightfully expected you to not show up with the money after you left.

And there is absolutely nothing impropper with them contacting your emergency contact about payment. I'm certain they have all had patients that got the work done and got an OOPS... I forgot my credit car or insurance card... and never see the patient again...

HIPPA is limited to specific medical information... they didn't give a copy of them to your Aunt.

Office discussions about patients also is not covered because everyone in that office is usually involved with dealing with the patient records and billing.

Summary of the HIPAA Security Rule

All understandable, but any business including a medical office should have procedures that do not breach the line of professionalism when it comes to acquiring payment. I had enough for the initial visit, which is why I put the card down- and had to grab more for the treatment they recommended.

I will never think it is rightful to speak to someone about a debt outside of the person who owes it. I don't think they had any business calling my family member, very distant at that. Shed show up to the hospital if I caught an allergy attack but that phone call is now fodder to feed the family trashtalk mill. On top of my issues being discussed amongst the personnel, that's no way to behave.

Um, there was a delay in your returning with cash, so that the family member was called because the office was wondering where you were.

Believe what you wish... fact is there is staff that has to enter the details of your vist (verbally dictated by the dentist)... other staff that deals with the billing issues... because the Dentist doesn't do it all themselves... no medical office can function with nobody saying anything to anyone else.

And as far as billing... its their right... they will go to your emergency contact first... you were in breach the moment you walked out the office as payment was due at that time. (or the copay if you were insured)

They can legally and rightfully have an outside collection agency collect the debt if it would go that far...

All that's is covered is the actual details of your condition... and only among parties outside the staff or any other autherized outsider (someone you would have specifically named on an information release form).

The law is very specific about this... and does not extend beyond what is written. Many people have a false understanding of what is actually covered and not covered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by armadanoir

All understandable, but any business including a medical office should have procedures that do not breach the line of professionalism when it comes to acquiring payment. I had enough for the initial visit, which is why I put the card down- and had to grab more for the treatment they recommended.

I will never think it is rightful to speak to someone about a debt outside of the person who owes it. I dont think they had any business calling my family member, very distant at that. Shed show up to the hospital if I caught an allergy attack but that phone call is now fodder to feed the family trashtalk mill. On top of my issues being discussed amongst the personnel, that's no way to behave.

Where are you getting the idea this was unprofessional. Any business is allowed to collect what is owed them. You left the office owing them money. You promised to return and didn't. That, in itself, is a warning flag.

Sorry, but your expectations are unrealistic.