[kiacam]

I believe my Hipaa rights have been violated. I have sleep apnea and I recently had a sleep study done as usual follow-up for my condition. The other day in the mail I received a letter from a dentist who was soliciting for business for a dental appliance for people with sleep apnea. In this letter mention was made of my oxygen levels which were just tested. An exact percentage was listed, which was the level that was recorded at the sleep study.
I did not sign a release for this information to be provided to anyone other than my primary care physician and the health care equipment supplier.
Do I have a legitimate complaint here? I don't like the fact that this dentist, who I have never heard of, has my personal test results.

[shygrneyzs]

Yes, I would be concerned also. If this dentist can get the results, who else can?
Listed below is a fact sheet on how to file a HIPPA complaint:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hippahowtofile.pdf

The Office for Civil Rights - 1-866-627-7748.

[Fr_Chuck]

This is one of the funny things under HIPPA that I often did not understand, I used to be in the medical supply business, and our medical staff could get and view the medical records of people who contacted us from their doctor, without any release, because the sharing of medical records between one doctor and another is not protected as a rule. This was done so various doctors reviewing your case can share the medical findings without you having to sign 100 releases for simple things.

[trishatony]

That is a violation and the only way another doctor can get your information is that you are going to that doctor for continuing care ( which you have to have a signature) it is a violation for any doctor to receive your medical records unless he is requesting his notes to complete the chart, continuing care or has your signature.