A question about doctor patient confidentiality and HIPAA

[Ohioboy]

What is the use of doctor patient confidentiality and HIPAA if you have to tell a receptionist why you are calling to make an appointment?

I just called to make an appointment with my doctor, who is part of a big hospital system in my area. They have a receptionist that handles calls for many doctors in the system. Part of making an appointment is telling the receptionist everything from your name, age and why you are calling, and she wouldn't just leave it at "I'm having some issues I need to talk to the doctor about". I had to be more specific with a total stranger who is not my doctor. WTF?

I didn't feel very respected. Is this normal? And what about confidentiality? I think being a big system is the problem.

Just needed to rant.

[janterry]

1. the receptionist is also covered under HIPAA

so are the RNs, LPNs and anyone else who works there.

They are required to respect your privacy. But even if you didn't give information to them, and just saw your MD. Your information would be part of a chart, reviewed by others in the system. So, even if it was 'just between' you and your MD - it wouldn't be -

[Ohioboy]

5. Thank you all for responding

Last edited Fri Dec 31, 2021, 02:05 PM - Edit history (1)

It's been a long time since I've been to the doctor and I always just called my home town doctor and they already knew me. I get the point that the receptionist is bound by HIPAA

Thank you


edited for spelling

[Klaralven]

9. And the guy in India transcribing the MD's recorded notes

[Ohioboy]

11. Laughing, just not out loud

Would that be LNOL?

[targetpractice]

2. Normal. The receptionist is an employee of the provider.

Providers (an by extension, their employees) are prohibited by HIPAA from sharing your information with third parties without your proper consent. But, they can and do share information internally.

[Ocelot II]

3. HIPAA applies to the entire clinic, not just the doctor.

Nobody who works there, not even the receptionist, can release your medical information to anyone outside the clinic without your consent. But it can be shared within the clinic.

[ms liberty]

4. HIPPA mandates that your doctor does not give information

To anyone you do not authorize to receive said information. HIPPA means your employer can't require or ask for your medical info. It does not prevent you from telling anyone freely.
Every doctor's office asks why you want to see the doctor. They want general info about whatever is ailing you so the doctor isn't blindsided when you show up.

[Maru Kitteh]

6. Because that has zip to do with HIPAA. I wish the public had a better

understanding of what HIPAA is and what it does.

Anti-vaxxers are largely convinced that it is the "I don't feel like telling you so you can't ask me 'cause HIPAA act."

You kind of seem to be doing the same thing here. The receptionist needs to know so he or she can do their job. Schedules must be made. The medical staff needs a heads-up about why you are coming. They also need to know if you should be going to a different specialist or maybe the ED.

The shortest explanation from a patient perspective regarding HIPAA is that the facility must always protect your personal, protected information (PPI) from misuse by making reasonable precautions against abuse and theft integral to all aspects of PPI gathering, use and storage.

[Ohioboy]

10. Apparently you didn't see my post number 5

But thank you anyway for filling me in. Your wish that the public better understands HIPAA has been moved forward by one. I certainly don't want to be like the anti-vaxxers. Although, to my credit, I was fully understanding of her Covid- related questions and answered them fully. Those made sense to me.

[hlthe2b]

7. The entire office staff are subject to the confidentiality requirements of HIPAA. Normal

[Walleye]

8. But if the medical issue is pregnancy, OK to share that with every right wing sheriff in Texas

[Ohioboy]

12. Sadly, you've got a point