Actionable? − 22 July, 2008
In a meeting in which I requested a single day to work at home so that I could read some grant materials for my new project, my supervisor’s supervisor pressed me hard on whether there were some medication I could take for my attention deficit issue. I told him that I was already on a medication that was not helping with the attention issue, but was making me feel better in other ways.
He pressed me hard about the medication issue. He asked several times whether my doctor had offered any other options when that new medication failed. I could not believe what I was hearing. I don’t even know why I justified his question by answering it.
As a sanity check, I ran the idea of asking about new medications by my husband. He was furious when he heard about my supervisor’s supervisor's intrusive questions. He told me those questions were over the line and might even be “actionable”. When I thought about it later, I realized that he was violating my rights under the HIPAA act. I had given a little thought when he asked me, and had answered him as I saw fit.
I had forgotten about my rights. I had tuned it out when every other agency in and out of the University required me to sign release forms to discuss anything about my case with any other person. I have tuned out all of the HIPAA privacy notices I receive in the mail. There have been so many.
I never thought that my privacy would be an issue. Ironically, the flood of notices has actually enabled me to forget how important it is to remember that I have a right to my privacy. Ironically, the man in question is a manager in a medical school organization. Of all organizations that should be well-versed in HIPAA issues, we are most certainly near the top of the list.
He pressed me hard about the medication issue. He asked several times whether my doctor had offered any other options when that new medication failed. I could not believe what I was hearing. I don’t even know why I justified his question by answering it.
As a sanity check, I ran the idea of asking about new medications by my husband. He was furious when he heard about my supervisor’s supervisor's intrusive questions. He told me those questions were over the line and might even be “actionable”. When I thought about it later, I realized that he was violating my rights under the HIPAA act. I had given a little thought when he asked me, and had answered him as I saw fit.
I had forgotten about my rights. I had tuned it out when every other agency in and out of the University required me to sign release forms to discuss anything about my case with any other person. I have tuned out all of the HIPAA privacy notices I receive in the mail. There have been so many.
I never thought that my privacy would be an issue. Ironically, the flood of notices has actually enabled me to forget how important it is to remember that I have a right to my privacy. Ironically, the man in question is a manager in a medical school organization. Of all organizations that should be well-versed in HIPAA issues, we are most certainly near the top of the list.
Comments:
metalpower (July 22, 2008. 06:27pm)
Fifteen years ago, my boss, (not my actual boss) asked me for a diagnostic paper from my doctor. I said him “not your business”, he said Ok but he was able to send me to the company doctor for a contestation verdict, things what it does. I won but he had his paper. So, privacy is protected by nothing in fact!
peahayes (July 22, 2008. 07:16pm)
we are really do have to watch out for ourselves! We can't assume that everyone out there is "up" on the rules or is even on the "up and up".
intrepideddie (July 23, 2008. 01:11pm)
Geez... you'd figure a medical facility/university would be a just a bit more up on HIPAA and privacy requirements.
peahayes (July 23, 2008. 01:33pm)
Well, this guy is pretty green as a manager. He would also, I'm sure, like this problem to just go away. He doesn't want to take responsibility. He wants to make it my problem.