Posted on 10/30/2017 5:35:35 PM PDT by learner
I have received an invitation to a luncheon to discuss my back nerve problems from a group I do not know. The only people who know about this problem are my doctors who are all within the same group. So how did this other group know about my problem? Did someone sell my medical problem? That would be a HPIA violation of the law. This was a personal addressed invitation. I am not sure how to proceed, but if I get some great advice here, I will send $250 to FR and as Proof of that commitment, I will send $100 tonight on account. J R can confirm if he wants. If someone is selling my medical records, I want to know.
Learner.
Best advice. Consult a lawyer. Send your payment in.
Are you taking medication for it? Perhaps someone at the pharmacy is a leaker of info.
If you have done any internet searches on back problems/pain you are getting adds for all sorts of crap.
Clear your search history and see if it stops. HIPPA violations are costly so I doubt that is the problem.
My area of knowledge is not backs but, I do work in surgery.
First hit on google ‘selling personal medical information’
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-data-brokers-make-money-off-your-medical-records/
Email hack?
I’m not in the medical profession but I’d talk to one or more of your doctors to see what they have to say.
Have you e-mailed anyone about your problem? E-mail may be scanned and info sold, especially the free ones...
Excerpt:
Pharmacies and the drug and device makers they do business with are legally allowed to remind you about refills and recently lapsed prescriptions, and provide “advice” about adhering to treatments. So if you take insulin, for example, you might get mail or email ads about a new insulin pump or supplies for testing blood sugar.
I have noticed that I also have received info and invites to things when I have googled certain medical conditions. I have a feeling google sells that info to interested parties.
It sounds like a pretty open and shut HIPPA violation. The question is, do you really want to go after your doctor / his practice? If you have an ongoing issue, this may not be your best approach.
Perhaps a friendly but stern talk from you to the doctor might be a better approach.
Probably revealed in cookies on your computer as you searched the internet....
My guess is that either:
1) the info was leaked by an insurance company
or, more likely
2) a good algorithm pieced together all sorts of details about your life and made the deduction and sold that deduction to the group.
You need to realize that every little purchase you’ve made for decades had been recorded via your credit cards and thrown into a software blender, analyzed and out come all sorts of fairly accurate guesses about you, your life and your health.
Your prescription purchases are theoretically confidential (ha ha) but if you use a credit card, that info is spread all over the place.
“HIPPA violations are costly so I doubt that is the problem.”
HIPPA only applies to certain parts of your record. Those parts are stripped out and the rest is sold.
See my #5
Seems like you answered your own question.
“Probably revealed in cookies on your computer as you searched the internet....”
This!
If you are invited to a luncheon it will not be just you. This other group sounds like a group selling a product or service.
Many people have low back and nerve pain. It sounds like they are sending this invitation to many people hoping enough people with low back and nerve pain will respond.
Hope this helps.
Certainly sounds like there could be a HIPAA violation. Could be a staffer in either your doctor’s office or your pharmacy (if you have any related prescription(s)). You might call the org. that sent you the mailing and express initial interest (so they will talk to you), but without commitment, and then say you are curious how they found you. Maybe even sound grateful if that’s not too much of a stretch, just that you are seeking more information about your treatment options. Not sure they would tell you but it’s worth a try.
“It sounds like a pretty open and shut HIPPA violation.”
See my #5.
Also:
http://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/definition/electronic-protected-health-information-ePHI
If you read the privacy agreement, you know...the one they make you sign a paper that says you read even if they didn’t actually show it to you, states they may share your information with “partners” if they feel it may be in your interest. It’s all crap. Nobody reads all that, and if you do and don’t agree, they won’t treat you.
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