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    Kitzmillerjg's Avatar
    Kitzmillerjg Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 17, 2007, 10:29 AM
    Possible HIPAA violation?
    Hello,

    Hope someone can help me determine whether this is a HIPAA violation or not. I was treated in a specialty clinic recently. At the time of checkout I had forgotten to bring money with me for the co-pay. Two other patients were waiting behind me and heard the finance person lecture me about not having the money with me, and discussing my account balance with the clinics in detail. I felt that it was at least an invasion of privacy and poor business practice to discuss my financial information in front of other patients. She did not disclose personal health infrmation though, so I don't know whether to pursue this as a HIPAA violation or just mention the lack of privacy to the office manager. I appreciate your advice. Thank you.

    Jean
    coplynn's Avatar
    coplynn Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #2

    Oct 17, 2007, 12:35 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Kitzmillerjg
    Hello,

    Hope someone can help me determine whether this is a HIPAA violation or not. I was treated in a specialty clinic recently. At the time of checkout I had forgotten to bring money with me for the co-pay. Two other patients were waiting behind me and heard the finance person lecture me about not having the money with me, and discussing my account balance with the clinics in detail. I felt that it was at least an invasion of privacy and poor business practice to discuss my financial information in front of other patients. She did not disclose personal health infrmation though, so I don't know whether to pursue this as a HIPAA violation or just mention the lack of privacy to the office manager. I appreciate your advice. Thank you.

    Jean
    That was a hippa they should not discuss anything that other people could here about you payment methods
    LearningAsIGo's Avatar
    LearningAsIGo Posts: 2,653, Reputation: 350
    Survivor
    		  
    #3

    Oct 18, 2007, 07:59 AM
    I'm not 100% sure, but I don't believe anything financial is actually a HIPAA concern. However, it IS poor business practice, not to mention rude. I would contact the office manager to complain and if this happens in the future, speak up and request a private room to discuss such matters.
    Emland's Avatar
    Emland Posts: 2,468, Reputation: 496
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #4

    Oct 18, 2007, 08:15 AM
    HIPAA is there to protect your medical records, not your payment records. The woman was rude, but didn't violate any laws.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
    		  
    #5

    Oct 18, 2007, 08:22 AM
    And why didn't you stop her cold and demand that they discuss this further in private?
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