Author Topic: HIPAA VIOLATION (Read 29259 times)

Sportsmom · « **on:** July 21, 2011, 06:54:37 PM »

I hope all is well with everyone.

Can somebody tell me if they feel this is a HIPPA violation or not? I feel it is a BIG HIPAA violation.

When I was at one of my provider offices today. I seen the receptionist filling out a deposit slip on the deposit slip,she was writing the last name of the client so she would know what check went to what client I stated to her that she needs to write an account number on the deposit slip but not the last name because it's HIPAA violation, she told me that it was not a violation.

What do you all think?

DMK · « **Reply #1 on:** July 22, 2011, 01:32:55 PM »

That would be a gray area for me. There's no first name, so which Smith in Chicago is it? Even with a first initial I wouldn't consider it a HIPPA violation. Anyone else?

QueenAlicia · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2011, 04:46:19 PM »

That would be gray for me too. She can't figure out another system to do that?

Michele · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2011, 10:34:29 PM »

I agree, I don't really think it is a true HIPAA violation. But I also agree it's not a good practice. I would recommend (strongly) to any of my providers to find another method.

rdmoore2003 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2011, 03:04:52 PM »

a different method needs to be put in placed. to gray of an area not to consider.

Medical Billing Forum · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2011, 03:04:52 PM »

PMRNC · « **Reply #5 on:** July 27, 2011, 06:35:44 PM »

First off.. it's HIPAA.. Not HIPPA (sorry this is pet peeve of mine)

it's not a HIPAA violation because it's going to a banking institution, however to air on the side of caution it would be wiser to use either an acct number or first three letters of last name. I have a friend who works at a bank and she's actually one who told me it is NOT HIPAA because they don't flag their banking customer's as medical care providers and their banking information is protected anyway.

QueenAlicia · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2011, 06:49:09 PM »

Now that I think about it you are right Linda, it isn't. When I worked at a bank we had business owners do this all the time.

Michele · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2011, 10:56:17 AM »

Not a HIPAA violation but still not a good practice. A patient could get mad, etc. I would still encourage them to change it. JMO

PMRNC · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2011, 12:47:55 PM »

Actually the patient should NEVER see the bank deposit slip at all. I can see why providers want to use the last names or the first few letters of last name, it's just easier to identify when reconciling their accounts. My client's usually do their banking at the end of the business day or first thing in morning before patient's come in, there's no need for the patient to ever see the banking information/deposit slips.

DMK · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2011, 01:59:01 PM »

The patient's shouldn't see ANY of the accounting procedures. We came back after vacation and I had a lot of paperwork to catch up on. I was stamping the checks for deposit (and there were a lot after being gone for a week) and one patient said "Wow you guys make a lot of money!" He didn't see the amounts on the checks but assumed since there was a lot of paper, it was a lot of money. I was tempted to show him the check from United Healthcare for a penny, and the 20 checks for $5 for Medicare supplemental.

Money is a funny thing, and ignorance and class envy make it worse every year. People still don't understand that healthcare is still a business that has to have income to survive. (Stepping off the soapbox now) $:-\$

Medical Billing Forum · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2011, 01:59:01 PM »

PMRNC · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2011, 03:08:26 PM »

Exactly, the accounting/banking should all be done OUTSIDE patient's eye shot, it's the same policy as if an OM were talking to another person in the office about a patient and there are other's around in ear shot.. not good. My family doctor is terrible about this and I would never take him as a client because he is a bit arrogant, I will be in one patient room waiting with door open and he will be with the OM or on phone with another and I live in a VERY small town and it's NOT hard to hear the name and know the name! I've told him on several occasions I would never call his office during patient hours because of that. His receptionist's desk too is right there, no wall over it and she actually sits there with the cash box getting her deposit's ready. He knows what I do for a living but he really doesn't care.

Michele · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2011, 03:16:08 PM »

I wasn't so much thinking of the patient's seeing it, but more of the bank employees. Even though medical providers are just bank customers or businesses, in a small town, everybody knows that Dr. Michael Jones is a psychiatrist and if he makes a 'deposit' with the name Sherry Smith we all know why Sherry was paying money to Dr. Jones don't we. Again, not a HIPAA violation, just not a good practice. In larger towns, probably not a problem, smaller ones, could be a big problem. JMO

Sportsmom · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2011, 10:54:29 AM »

Thank you all for your help. I have them not writing the full name but account number. We are in a small town with big eyes.

PMRNC · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2011, 02:45:08 PM »

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act would not allow even a teller to discuss anyone's banking to anyone. I live in a small town and we had an incident where a teller gave banking information to a SPOUSE of an account holder, she was fired and fined/sanctioned along with the bank.. it was a big deal even with just small talk.

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