HIPPA violation: what do I do next?

[Delgato2069]

Indianapolis, IN

Received a call 9 Jan 2007 from a debt collector about a hospital bill. The collector had diagnosis information and my MD`s name as well as other professionals that were involved in my treatment. When I called the hospital billing office, I was told that the account had been turned over to a collection agency with a name different from the one that called me subcontractor?. The information the debt collector had seems to be more than the minimum necessary. I belive this would also involve a violation of the electronic security rules.

What should I do next?

 

[You Are Guilty]

Indianapolis, IN

Received a call 9 Jan 2007 from a debt collector about a hospital bill. The collector had diagnosis information and my MD`s name as well as other professionals that were involved in my treatment. When I called the hospital billing office, I was told that the account had been turned over to a collection agency with a name different from the one that called me subcontractor?. The information the debt collector had seems to be more than the minimum necessary. I belive this would also involve a violation of the electronic security rules.

What should I do next?

Paying your bill comes to mind. (As to a potential violation, there's not enough information here to determine whether one actually occurred).

 

[ajkroy]

That isn't a HIPAA violation unless they reveal the information to someone ELSE. Telling YOU what your diagnosis is isn't a violation of privacy. Even if it was, all you could do is lodge a complaint with the provider. HIPAA violations happen every day.

Collectors are part of the billing process which is specifically allowed under HIPAA. Of course, if you had paid the bill, fewer people (and no one at the collection agency) would know your diagnosis/treatment.

Unfortunately, now a medical collection (but not the diagnosis) will remain on your credit report for everyone to see. In the future, if you are worried about privacy, make sure you pay your bills on time.