(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.
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.
I think smonster summed it up pretty accurately and succinctly.
