HIPPA Violation- Would this make you mad?

[whitemerlot]

Normally I consider myself to be a pretty relaxed person and don't get upset easily, but I'm so upset by what happened.

I received a phone call from the hospital that I delivered my baby at asking about payment for a bill. I told them that I had never received the bill and that I would talk with my husband and look through our records and call back. When I called back they told me that they had sent the bill four times to another family, unknown and unrelated to me with my very common last name. The bill was never returned to them. This bill had information including my and my child's date of birth, medical providers names, list of medical procedures, and insurance information. I'm not sure what else because I have never received the bill. I paid the bill over the phone and asked for a receipt to be mailed and the actual bill to be mailed (they acted like that was inconvenient). They also told me the name and address of a child that they had sent the bill to and that I had been listed as a guarantor on that child's account.

I spoke with a supervisor and they said nothing had been reported as late or would impact my credit in any way, however, I'm still very upset that my information was shared. All she said was that they wouldn't send my information there in the future.

Would you file some kind of complaint? Should I just try to forget about it?

[pamela]

I'd be upset, but there is really nothing you can do.

[madringal]

I'd be upset, but is seems like a legitimate mistake. I'd make sure to report it to a supervisor and maybe order a copy of your credit in a few months, but there isn't much you can really do at this point. Sorry it happened to you

[UnderProtest]

Did they say why the bill was mailed to the other person? It sounds like it might have been a data entry error. While that sucks, I don't think there is much to be done.

[chia]

If you think there's been a HIPAA violation, you should report it:
www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/index.html

[doctorsbaby]

What I would do would depend on their attitude when I spoke with them.

Contrite and very apologetic, I would probably let it go figuring that it was an oops on their part and would be more careful in the future.

If they acted like it was no big deal, happens all the time kind of thing, I would report them. HIPAA fines are a big deal and can add up quickly.

www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/index.html

[fbf2006]

I just think it's a mistake and probably won't be that upset.

[Susie]

Dec 4, 2012 15:37:10 GMT -5 whitemerlot said:

They also told me the name and address of a child that they had sent the bill to and that I had been listed as a guarantor on that child's account.

Did you get this part sorted out?

[whitemerlot]

Dec 4, 2012 16:31:12 GMT -5 Susie said:

Dec 4, 2012 15:37:10 GMT -5 whitemerlot said:

They also told me the name and address of a child that they had sent the bill to and that I had been listed as a guarantor on that child's account.

Did you get this part sorted out?

They said it had already been removed and that my total was from mostly me and a small amount for my kid.

I don't know why it bothers me so much. I feel pretty exposed.

[AAM2012]

Dec 4, 2012 16:34:19 GMT -5 whitemerlot said:

Dec 4, 2012 16:31:12 GMT -5 Susie said:

Did you get this part sorted out?

They said it had already been removed and that my total was from mostly me and a small amount for my kid.

I don't know why it bothers me so much. I feel pretty exposed.

You have every right to be mad. I would report it and I would request that they provide me with a credit monitoring service for the next year.

[GailGoldie]

Dec 4, 2012 15:52:45 GMT -5 doctorsbaby said:

What I would do would depend on their attitude when I spoke with them.

Contrite and very apologetic, I would probably let it go figuring that it was an oops on their part and would be more careful in the future.

If they acted like it was no big deal, happens all the time kind of thing, I would report them. HIPAA fines are a big deal and can add up quickly.

www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/index.html

this- exactly.... mistakes happen to the best of people/offices - but if they acted like it wasn't a big deal or kept pressuring you, etc - screw them, i'd report it.