Very interesting read. Do you know if HIPAA requires that hospitals make available all forms of communication about the patient's medical history? I'm fairly confident that all hospitals record calls for quality assurance (and compliance reasons). Having access to the conversations to make those available to journalists might also be...how to say it best???? Useful?
Great question, Thad! HIPAA gives patients broad access to the records that HIPAA-covered entities like hospital and insurance companies keep about them. It's a powerful resource for patients. See what that includes at this link: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/access/index.html. Here's a key section: "Other records that are used, in whole or in part, by or for the covered entity to make decisions about individuals. This last category includes records that are used to make decisions about any individuals, whether or not the records have been used to make a decision about the particular individual requesting access." In other words, patients have a right to access records that are used to make decisions about the care they receive. For more on HIPAA see this column I wrote: https://marshallallen.substack.com/p/cite-hipaa-to-obtain-your-itemized
It always amazes me that hospitals and insurances are getting away with all this nonsense. They can lie, refuse to clear up mistakes and overcharge with impunity. I don't understand why there are no laws against such borderline criminal behavior. Or maybe it's really criminal?
You're right - it's unjust and outrageous and there's little accountability. That's why patients need to learn how to stand up for themselves when they are getting bullied. Chances are good that no one else will stand up for them!
Even the “free market, socialized healthcare bad” people should agree that the system should be set up in a way that a normal patient has a chance navigating this without blatantly getting ripped off or going through year long ordeals fighting these big organizations that seemingly can do whatever they want.
I am very disappointed that nobody in either party does something about this.
Very interesting read. Do you know if HIPAA requires that hospitals make available all forms of communication about the patient's medical history? I'm fairly confident that all hospitals record calls for quality assurance (and compliance reasons). Having access to the conversations to make those available to journalists might also be...how to say it best???? Useful?
Great question, Thad! HIPAA gives patients broad access to the records that HIPAA-covered entities like hospital and insurance companies keep about them. It's a powerful resource for patients. See what that includes at this link: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/access/index.html. Here's a key section: "Other records that are used, in whole or in part, by or for the covered entity to make decisions about individuals. This last category includes records that are used to make decisions about any individuals, whether or not the records have been used to make a decision about the particular individual requesting access." In other words, patients have a right to access records that are used to make decisions about the care they receive. For more on HIPAA see this column I wrote: https://marshallallen.substack.com/p/cite-hipaa-to-obtain-your-itemized
It always amazes me that hospitals and insurances are getting away with all this nonsense. They can lie, refuse to clear up mistakes and overcharge with impunity. I don't understand why there are no laws against such borderline criminal behavior. Or maybe it's really criminal?
You're right - it's unjust and outrageous and there's little accountability. That's why patients need to learn how to stand up for themselves when they are getting bullied. Chances are good that no one else will stand up for them!
Even the “free market, socialized healthcare bad” people should agree that the system should be set up in a way that a normal patient has a chance navigating this without blatantly getting ripped off or going through year long ordeals fighting these big organizations that seemingly can do whatever they want.
I am very disappointed that nobody in either party does something about this.