[mommyof2girls]

I work for a small medical office and when I started working here I noticed there were no shred boxes. We were told to just throw them in the trash.. Well my supervisor has us throw EVERYTHING in the trash that is just thrown out in a dumpster. It has all of the patients info from, name, DOB, SS#, address and personal info. I know this is against HIPPA and want to know how to get this corrected. I have suggested shred boxes but that is an extra expense for them.. WHAT!! Anyone know who I can contact?

[Wildsporty]

The Office for Civil Rights enforces the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information; the HIPAA Security Rule, which sets national standards for the security of electronic protected health information; and the confidentiality provisions of the Patient Safety Rule, which protect identifiable information being used to analyze patient safety events and improve patient safety.

How To File a Complaint
If you believe that a covered entity violated your (or someone else’s) health information privacy rights or committed another violation of the Privacy or Security Rule, you may file a complaint with OCR. OCR can investigate complaints against covered entities.

COMPLAINT REQUIREMENTS - Your complaint must:

Be filed in writing, either on paper or electronically, by mail, fax, or e-mail;
Name the covered entity involved and describe the acts or omissions you believe violated the requirements of the Privacy or Security Rule; and
Be filed within 180 days of when you knew that the act or omission complained of occurred. OCR may extend the 180-day period if you can show "good cause."
ANYONE CAN FILE! - Anyone can file a complaint alleging a violation of the Privacy or Security Rule. We recommend that you use the OCR Health Information Privacy Complaint Form Package. You can also request a copy of this form from an OCR regional office. If you need help filing a complaint or have a question about the complaint or consent forms, please e-mail OCR at [email protected].

HIPAA PROHIBITS RETALIATION - Under HIPAA an entity cannot retaliate against you for filing a complaint. You should notify OCR immediately in the event of any retaliatory action.

For information and help on how to submit a complaint go to the HHS (Health and Human Services) site and all the information is there for you.

Here is the link:
How To File a Complaint

Good luck!

Shirley

[mommyof2girls]

Thanks so much Shirley.. I really appreciate it!

[Wildsporty]

No problem, you are most welcome.

Shirley