Does this work for th HIPPA Process?

[newoutlook]

Fused, I got a letter in the mail today from the collection agency with very detailed description of the services I recieved during the visit attached from the Dr's office, which is a clear violation of HIPPA. Being that I have messed these steps up already, Should I proceed to send the letter with the payment inside to the OC? What should I do next?

[fused]

What exactly did the CA send you, it sounds like a "grand" validation?

[newoutlook]

They sent me a letter from them stating that I owe 175.00 and this was attempt to collect debt. Attached to this was the breakdown of the services I received that day from the Dr. Mom is a medical biller and coder and she stated that typically with the Dr's she works with they will send the coded invoices to collections and not the actual breakdown of the services.

[fused]

Did the OC share diagnosis and procedure codes and their descriptions with the CA? The is a part of the HIPAA privacy act that has very little case law.

[newoutlook]

Yes they did. That is some very surprising information Fused. I would like to think that information would be protected.

[fused]

I believe the OC is in violation of HIPAA because they didn't follow the "minimum necessary" clauses in the privacy act. The CA doesn't need to know your diagnosis and the treatment you received to collect on a debt. Exactly, how does this help facilitate the collection of money. That's really stupid, but common. In any event, save the correspondence the CA sent you. It will be another option available to you if the OC doesn't want to play nice and comply with HIPAA. Also, print your reports showing the collection is not properly marked as disputde by the consumer and verified. Save these to go after the CRAs for not properly investigating your dispute and their refusal to delete the collection.

Since the CA did validate, you should use scenario #1.

Message Edited by fused on 04-28-2009 05:11 PM

[newoutlook]

I will proceed to send the letter with the payment to the OC via CMRRR and follow up with you.

Thanks for being so patient.

[fused]

You're Welcome! Please keep us updated.

[newoutlook]

Hey Fused, just wanted to stop by and give you an update regarding this. I spoke with the HIPPA compliance officer on Monday regarding the letter and payment that I sent two weeks ago. She informed me that the check would be deposited and she would follow up with the CA regarding my situation and she would also be sending me a letter to confirm such. She also stated that she would have to talk with someone about having it removed from the CA, but would follow up with me either way.  So please keep your fingers crossed for.

Thank you so much for your guidance I will keep you posted on the final outcome.

Gracias!

[Anonymous]

Good luck!!