HIPAA Violation? Report to MD or file complaint?

Question

Very dissatisfied with how my doctor manages the office.  

Previously, I'd complained to the office manager that I could hear the staff talking about patients when they were in conversation with the lab or other offices. I mentioned "breach of privacy/confidentiality" and was told (condescendingly) there is nothing they can do because they have to work at the reception desk, i.e., there's no private office.  

Here's the shocker: on my return visit I asked for receipt of payment & learned they are recycling their paper. When I got home I discovered that the backside of the receipt is a laboratory report with two patient names (first/last). Both names are unusual so I Googled them.  I found the patients' names, addresses, phone #, age, etc.  While this many be an unintended HIPAA breach, it's clearly a violation of privacy.

Should I report this breach to the doctor or file a formal complaint?

lcr000 · Accepted Answer

can there names be found in the phone book? was there any medical info? your name is not protected information if that's all there was, they don't whisper your name in the office, there is no violation unless medical info was released

yeppers · Answer

If the patients names are disclosed it is a HIPPA violation. 
File a formal complaint and report to MD. 

ALSO i dont really believe a Dr. Office is so uneducated on the HIPPA law 
tath they passed this paper to you with patient info. But i guess its possible.

State will come do an investigation, They may only fine the company but
if they find the need they may shut the company down.

OHHH and just to let you know, just becasue they disclosed this info to you does NOT give you the right to veiw it you should have disposed of it immediatly. and contacted the office right away also.

If they gave me your info you wouldn't want me reading it or googling it. you are in the wrong there for sure!!!!

Jo · Answer

Wow, that's bad.
I would start with the health department in your state, you can find the number in the blue pages of your phone book.
I hope you kept that receipt.
That isn't unintended, that is sloppy work.
Get on it before someone unscrupulous gets their hands on someone's info.

Anonymous · Answer

WhEre do we file this complaint?

WRG · Answer

Both... and find a new doctor.

Aaaahh! · Answer

the DR probably doesn't even realize  the names were there. i think you should just ignore it.

Trending News

HIPAA Violation? Report to MD or file complaint?

6 Answers