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Release of Confidential Medical Information to Outsiders
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Medicare & Insurance
Release of Confidential Medical Information to Outsiders
Share Medicare dos and don’ts, including eligibility and supplemental insurance.
In view of the fact that medical information will/is available digitally, I wonder how much the confidentiallity of this information will be compromised? I received a letter from Boston Scientific inv
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Cat:91a4afbf-9555-4e02-b9d3-9eef604476f6Forum:c79f53c3-fa71-4e76-b517-aef042efd7ff
Cat:91a4afbf-9555-4e02-b9d3-9eef604476f6Forum:c79f53c3-fa71-4e76-b517-aef042efd7ffDiscussion:2d76b4c9-151d-4eb2-9f50-f3bcf53c9314
Forums » Health » Medicare & Insurance » Release of Confidential Medical Information to Outsiders
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Release of Confidential Medical Information to Outsiders
posted at April 30, 2012 2:22 PM EDT
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Posts: 471
First: December 21, 2011 Last: May 20, 2013 |
In view of the fact that medical information will/is available digitally, I wonder how much the confidentiallity of this information will be compromised? I received a letter from Boston Scientific inviting me to ask my doctor about a procedure called "Bronchial Thermoplasty" for severe asthma. Now, I don't have severe asthma or any asthma for that matter. But I've received this and other communications from other providers (for other conditions) along with calls from India asking for me and telling me that I'm being called because I have some specific condition. Can anyone tell me how this information (or in my case misinformation) gets out. Aren't there supposed to be laws that protect us from these abuses? |
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Re: Release of Confidential Medical Information to Outsiders
posted at April 30, 2012 3:10 PM EDT
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Posts: 23748
First: August 22, 2008 Last: May 14, 2013 |
It seems pretty obvious to me that their just spamming. The only time your medical info is available outside your medical network, is when you sign for someone to have access to it. I recently started going to a new specialist and signed a doc so they could communicate with my existing network about my condition, needs and new diagnoses. |
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Re: Release of Confidential Medical Information to Outsiders
posted at May 1, 2012 8:25 AM EDT
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Posts: 471
First: December 21, 2011 Last: May 20, 2013 |
ILeCherie, Spamming would seem like the appropriate answer, except that my wife has asthma. Her asthma is mild and ican be controlled with Advair. She also has arthritis (she takes sodium naproxen for that). I have received correspondence for those two conditions in my name. Our health insurance through my employer had me listed as the primary insured. I've been retired for two years now and covered by a Medicare HMO. My wife will be covered by my employee insurance until she is eligible for Medicare next year. So I still question the specificity of those solicitations. Response to Re: Release of Confidential Medical Information to Outsiders: It seems pretty obvious to me that their just spamming. The only time your medical info is available outside your medical network, is when you sign for someone to have access to it. I recently started going to a new specialist and signed a doc so they could communicate with my existing network about my condition, needs and new diagnoses. Posted by LeCherie |
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Re: Release of Confidential Medical Information to Outsiders
posted at May 8, 2012 6:18 PM EDT
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Posts: 471
First: December 21, 2011 Last: May 20, 2013 |
I received an answer to my query. A few years ago I filled out a very long survey. Among the questions asked was one enquiring whether anyone in my household had asthma. I answered in the affirmative, since my wife has mild asthma. Apparently that info goes onto various lists that are eventually bought up by various companies. I'll think twicw about doing a survey in the future. And....LeCherie you are right about confidentiallity. |
Forums » Health » Medicare & Insurance » Release of Confidential Medical Information to Outsiders
