( continues...) more times during the conversation that HIPAA will not allow me to talk to Big!Boss's daughter about my medical issues or the company will get sued.

You tell me that many times not to do something, buddy, and I'm gonna think it's because when I did it, it got YOU in trouble. And, frankly, I do not give one damn about him. All I care about, in this context, is my own healthcare.

And as a final, amusing anecdote about not sharing medical information with people, while we were on the phone, Insurance!Agent told me all about a medical claim one of my co-workers had recently made, and he mentioned her by her full name.

No, really.

*Someone* is deeply stupid, but it isn't me.

So, I documented the whole call, and pulled up the Department of Health & Human Services' website about HIPAA, and pulled out all relevant info, and I *am* going to Big!Boss's daughter first thing tomorrow. Because this is BULLSHIT. You don't call me at home and try to intimidate me into shutting up by implying that my loose lips will lead to a lawsuit that will be the end of the company. And you certainly don't follow that up by telling my about my co-worker's medical issues BY NAME.

ow. The gentlemen just picked up Bartleby and all the stuff I packed for him.

I feel like a neurotic mother...'here's his doctor's name and his insurance card'...here is the route I'm taking (for my business trip tomorrow) and the car I'll be driving.

It hurt my heart to walk away from him.

The true facts are: Bartleby LOVES these guys. He loves their dog. He gets spoilt in ways he'd never get away with at home. They are the most responsible people I've ever known when it comes to pets.

Bartleby will have a great time and they have promised to send photos and updates throughout the day...which I won't have time for, but it's a sweet thought anyway.

Still, my house seems to empty.

(For the record, HIPAA covers what healthcare providers [or insurers, etc.] can share with third parties about patients' health info. Meaning, my employer [or mom, or whoever] couldn't just call my doctor and find out what I'm being treated for, etc. And that is pretty much it.

HIPAA certainly does NOT say that a patient is not allowed to talk about their medical issues to whoever they choose. If *I* choose to talk to Big!Boss's daughter about my back, that's not a violation of HIPAA.

Now, the part where Insurance!Agent told me about my co-worker's medical claim, and named her? Pretty sure that IS a big ol' violation of HIPAA.

The irony, it burns.)

One has to be deeply stupid to think that HIPAA keeps the patient from saying anything about her health. It is quite clear what company representatives cannot say without the patient's permission. Oops.

Damn, Steph.

One has to be deeply stupid to think that HIPAA keeps the patient from saying anything about her health.

Right?? Dear God.

Frankly, he lost the argument when he called you at home to harass you. Everything after that is just stupid gravy.

What a moron!

I once had a client tell me that HIPAA prevented him from disclosing his medical stuff with me. Of course, he's totally not required to but that's called personal choice, not HIPAA.

I'm saying. He is an ignorant jackass. I think the company has stuck with him for so long because we were with the same insurance for many years. t edit By which I mean, the continuity with the same plan meant there were very few problems that arose. But we switched this year, and the plan he found for us seems to SUCK, and since we're all complaining about it, it's turning out that he needs to do actual work, but he's not very good at it.

Oh! He ALSO told me, when he called me at home, that *he* called the insurance company about the "no ERs in-network" and he found out who gave me the "incorrect" information and got them fired.

Interesting, since I didn't tell him when I called or who I talked to.

I think he is an ignorant jackass lying liar who lies. And who told me about my co-worker's insurance claim.

I am busting his ass tomorrow. BIG TIME.

Frankly, he lost the argument when he called you at home to harass you.

Oh, yeah. The act of a desperate man, that. "Please stop telling Big!Boss's daughter how much I suck! I mean it!"

*Someone* is deeply stupid, but it isn't me.

Ooooh oooooh, I know the answer!!! OOOOOOOHH!

Deeply stupid.