You have no idea how many healthcare workers refuse to inform me and husband about our own healthcare records, claiming HIPAA forbids it.
Oh, I can believe it.
It’s all a sham. A sham to implement more regulation to keep government jobs alive. It doesn’t help the patient at all, and in many cases as yours it’s actually a hindrance.
Technically, as in this case for example, where a person is from (or any one piece of data that could potentially be PHI) can be released to the public without violating HIPPA because the law states this is permitted. But here’s the rub:
What it states is, “Any HPI that is not personally identifiable is not considered PHI”.
Now you (or anyone) tell me how is anyone to know, for *sure*, what is not “personally identifiable”, to a degree of 100%? This is where the paranoia comes in. Because while *most likely*, simply releasing the country of origin of a patient probably wouldn’t enable anyone to identify the patient, there is that 0.000001% chance it could. Just like it’s “possible” the sun might explode tomorrow.
This is the level of paranoia the law generates. This is why nurses (most) won’t give health information over the phone unless you have specifically authorized them to do so and only to you (not your spouse) in writing. Even that’s rare really most offices don’t even go there, and will give the treatment you have received. Even though their called ID will tell them you are who you say you are. Even if you can verify your identity with a birthdate or SS#. Still not good enough, because the sun might blow up tomorrow.
Now if you are being denied your own records when requested, in writing and in person, that would be a clear violation of even HIPPA even the most paranoid couldn’t deny. So if that’s your case, I wouldn’t stand for that.