Except they use the same system no matter what you sign and call prior to the first appt there (so, you haven't signed anything yet). Yet, they think their system is compliant (clueless, as I said). With older relatives who have had medical problems, I've seen them do lots of stupid things. With friends in the business of writing software for DR offices (which I have helped on in the past), I keep up on this apparently more than even the staff in these dr offices do.
This same office also has (and many still do this) open sign in sheets (more compliant use would be sign in slip, turned in, no list of names visible), call patients's full names over the loudspeaker / yell out name from door (grey area, but could use system like bookstore, where a code name is assigned -- some hospitals use this and a password you designate if someone calls to get medical status). Some hospitals have overreacted and not allowed opt-in to notify ministers of status (generally, many hospitals used to allow ministers to check every day's admissions to see if any of them were in that minister's membership list -- then went to not even alllowing them to be given any information), while others are catching on and setting up several layers of opt-in information that can be given out. It is not even permissible to tell someone your room number or connect to your room number, if you have not specifically signed to allow this to be given out (in other words, you have to tell them your room number). I do wonder if there are not a few exceptions to allow notification of immediate relatives when brought to the emergency room in a state where you cannot give any permission? Unless you specifically authorize them to let anyone know you are seeing someone at a dr's office, they cannot associate your name with them in any way (for example, they cannot announce to the person answering the phone: this is Dr so-and-so's office, calling to confirm an appt for Ms. XYZ). And then, you may have specified a list of who can be told what (think of the damage/liability if you left a work number and your employer discovered a medical condition you did not want to disclose) that most offices do not consult (and almost any automated system would be unable to ever comply with). > -----Original Message----- > From: Jay Sudowski - > > Regarding HIPAA - In most cases, you probably signed some sort of waiver > that gave the doctor permission to make these calls. It's all in the > fine print. --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by Declude Virus] To Unsubscribe: http://www.ipswitch.com/support/mailing-lists.html List Archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/imail_forum%40list.ipswitch.com/ Knowledge Base/FAQ: http://www.ipswitch.com/support/IMail/
