muffin1968
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
I work in the insurance billing department of a large hospital. I found issues of fraudulant billing and reported them to my HR department about 6 months ago and also called the compliance hotline.
Upon returning from a doctor's ordered stress leave, I was called into the manager's office and told I am suspended for an unknown amount of time for violating HIPAA law.
I had looked up an employee's birthdate and emailed it to another employee to let him know how old she was. I did this over 4 months ago and my supervisor stated she went through my deleted emails to follow up on 'something'. Before going on leave, I deleted everything in my email...even deleted the 'deleted' file.
First of all, I realize I was wrong in telling someone's birthdate. I have written a statement of events (of what I remember since it was so long ago) and also apologized for my actions stating I have learned a valuable lesson and will never do this again.
My question is, can I be fired for this? I understand being written up or suspended for a specific amount of time but to have to sit and wait for them to decide...over a birthdate.
Also, I feel I am being retaliated against since I reported the billing issues. Is there something I can do?
I've informed the other employee and he has not been questioned by HR regarding the information I gave him. Shouldn't HR talk with him? His supervisor says it was an innocent offense used to get a date, not information to ruin someone's life.
Please help me in the matter ASAP, I appreciate any information you can give me.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
I work in the insurance billing department of a large hospital. I found issues of fraudulant billing and reported them to my HR department about 6 months ago and also called the compliance hotline.
Upon returning from a doctor's ordered stress leave, I was called into the manager's office and told I am suspended for an unknown amount of time for violating HIPAA law.
I had looked up an employee's birthdate and emailed it to another employee to let him know how old she was. I did this over 4 months ago and my supervisor stated she went through my deleted emails to follow up on 'something'. Before going on leave, I deleted everything in my email...even deleted the 'deleted' file.
First of all, I realize I was wrong in telling someone's birthdate. I have written a statement of events (of what I remember since it was so long ago) and also apologized for my actions stating I have learned a valuable lesson and will never do this again.
My question is, can I be fired for this? I understand being written up or suspended for a specific amount of time but to have to sit and wait for them to decide...over a birthdate.
Also, I feel I am being retaliated against since I reported the billing issues. Is there something I can do?
I've informed the other employee and he has not been questioned by HR regarding the information I gave him. Shouldn't HR talk with him? His supervisor says it was an innocent offense used to get a date, not information to ruin someone's life.
Please help me in the matter ASAP, I appreciate any information you can give me.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?