[Martir_70394]

My doctors nurse is also my cousin. I'm not too happy about this, but I don't have a car and the office is within walking distance of my apartment. I have two children and I'm disabled. My cousin and I had an argument on the phone one day about some family issues. A week later my fiancé took my daughter to the doctor. While my child was being seen, my cousin brought up the argument and told my fiancé she thought I was on drugs. My cousin thinks everyone is on drugs. Anyway, since then I've been afraid to go to the doctor. I feel I'm not getting the health care I need because she feels its OK to talk about family matters at work. I don't want to have a confrontation with her at my doctors office. A friend of mine told me I should mention HIPAA to her. Have my rights been violated? Is there anything I can do to get my doctor back?

[Fr_Chuck]

If she had told your fiancé anything about your actual medical care.
** and since it appears he is really family since he had your daughter at the doctor, so he has to have permission to discuss her medical care and permission from you to have her treated.
But if she was merely talking "about you" that is not giving your medical results to her.

I doubt any real rights were violated, And personally don't see why her talkig to the person you are enganged to, with your child is really a issue anyway. And don't see why you think this is stops you from getting good medical care?

So call her up at home after work and tell her off, if that will make you feel better.

[ScottGem]

HIPPA is about preventing those providing medical care from revealing details about their actual medical care to unauthorized persons. So I agree with Chuck that I don't see any HIPPA violation here.

On the other hand, it isn't very nice for ANYONE to spread rumors about someone else, which is what you cousin was doing. Moreover, since she would be likely to have access to your medical records, discussing your health with anyone without your express permission, is questionable ethics.

What I would do, is call your cousin at home. Tell her that you do not appreciate the lies she told your fiancée. Tell her you think that she committed a breach of professional ethics. Tell her if she does this again, you will report her to the doctor.

I also don't see why this compromises your medical care. Is she the only nurse in the office? If not, I would talk to the doctor and explain to him that you don't feel comfortable with a family member being privy to your personal medical history. And ask if you can have another nurse deal with you in the future.