Insurance struggle

[blendedmom]

What is the name of your state? SD

Okay where to start. My husband the father of my step-kids is being denied by his ex and her new spouse any rights to medical information. The ex first called medical places ( eye dr.s and Dentist) and told them we where not allowed any information pertaining to the kids. This included appointment dates, appointment issues, nothing. So our attourney drew up a letter to the ex. stating we had rights to know of health information.

Today I called to check on a balance at an eye clinic. They told me that last week the Ex. called again and told them they could give us health info, but not account information, insurance info and account balances. Ex. told them this was under the HIPPA Law.

We are confused. My husband pay's child support which includes paying her for insurance, he has joint custody, and we are responsible for 58% of unpaid medical exspenses. Can the Ex deny us this information?

To set some things straight we don't call and ask these medical facilities about their insurance. We only called ( have been for over 6 years) asking them " has insurance paid on the kids bill? What was the cost of the bill? How much did insurance pay on it? Has anyone else made any payments on it?" Information we have to have in order to pay the right amount.

Another frustrating thing is how can the ex refuse us to use their insurance to file a claim on their kids? And what should we do about it?

Thanks

[stealth2]

Actually, YOU are probably not entitled to have any of that information given to you directly by the providers. They're not your kids - you are a legal stranger. DAD, however, should be able to get the info - he may find that he gets a better response by physically going in to their office(s)

[blendedmom]

Thank you for your responce. I know that leaglly I am not to get info from these providers. The question I was asking is under the HIPPA law is my husband the father of these children able to get the info.

He has called them they said it doesn't matter if he stops down or not they won't give him any info per ex's request. WE even had our Lawyer draw up a letter for the Ex.. We even dropped off a copy of the divorce decree.

In my defence - I have always in the last 6 years been able to call these providers and get our 58% of the bill. Why, so I could go to them and take care of our bill immediatly. I don't care about their bills or their stuff. I just wanted to be able to take care of our responsibility immediatly to avoid the comments and phone messages fromt he ex and her husband.

Thanks