Privacy at Work

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sammi35
sammi35 Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer
Privacy at Work
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  • sammi35
    sammi35 Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2008

    10 months ago I was diagnosed with DCIS, had a lumpectomy and radiation, and didn't tell anyone in my family.  I live in a small town and work for a woman who does not have any discretion when it comes to this type of information and she will see anything I submit.  I want to submit my portion of the medical bills for repayment through my health plan at work but do not want anyone there to be able to see my diagnosis.  What can I do?  I have since told my mother and some of my friends, I just don't want a bunch of people who don't really pay attention to me normally asking me how I am all the time.  And I would like to keep the rest of my elderly family from knowing.  I have a clean bill of health for the moment and feel very strongly about moving on. 

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  • ADK
    ADK Member Posts: 2,259
    edited April 2008

    You are protected under HIPAA.  Why would the people you work directly with see your bills?  The insurance company is prohibited from providing that information to your employer.  If your employer is self-insured, yes, that does change things.  But if you have a health plan through your employer, that health plan cannot disclose this information to your employer. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2008

    HIPPA should protect you but if this employee starts telling others about your dx then I would certainly make a formal grievence with the company through the insurance company.

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  • sammi35
    sammi35 Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2008

    In order to receive payment then I have to provide proof of payment and an invoice with who, where and when I was treated.  My insurance does cover most of the costs but my co-pays and medications are my responsibility. 

    Thanks for the help, I have been trying to figure out what my employer is entitled to for information where HIPAA is concerned.  I know that one other time I submitted a request for payment for a dentist bill and they called my dentist to verify the information.  Apparently there have been problems in the past. 

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  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited April 2008

    Sammi,

    Is there an 800 number for your insurance company that you could call?  Perhaps you could by-pass the office entirely and deal directly with the insurance company.

    Even though the lady at work would be in violation of HIPAA by disclosing any of your information, I can certainly see why you would be worried. If you must submit information through her, perhaps you could attach a cover sheet with the applicable HIPAA law text highlighted?? 

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  • tif
    tif Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2008

    I would definately call the insurance company. Also, I would read HIPPA...I think that it's good that you're on top of it, though because people like to talk.

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