Hippa vs. wrong charges?

My wife was in the hospital 3 tears ago. The bill is paid in full except for approximately $1100 for an IV of chemotherapy. She was in for a knee hurting and NEVER HAD CANCER. She has sent cancelled checks etc and never getting results. They have turned it into a bill collector, and they say she has to prove she did not have chemotherapy. They also sent her an itemized bill obtained from the hospital. is that not a violation of hipa? Any ideas to how to resolve this ?

Mutt

HIPAA does allow them to share just enough information as is needed to third parties for the doctor/hospital to do their business. If you need a prescription from the pharmacy, your doctor is allowed to share some of your medical information to the pharmacy in order to get the prescription filled. And, just as with the pharmacy, the collection agency should also be keeping this information private and take the measueres to ensure it does not get "leaked". An itemized bill is the information the collection agency needs to do it's business on behalf of the hospital.

What can you do? This should have been handled before it got to this point. Sending canceled checks does not show that your wife did not receive chemotherapy. Ask them for proof in their records (not a bill) that she did receive it, and what it was for. Talk to your doctor to find out what is in your medical record that would have required this. And now that it is in the hands of the collection agency, you will need to work with them. Find out what proof they will take.

fangtaiyang

The itemized bill is not a HIPPA violation. Take this up with your health insurance provider first and then with the hospital. If she did not receive chemotherapy, there should be no charge. Save all bills and receipts. If the hospital refuses to refuses to take the chemotherapy charge off the bill, explain that you intend to file a suit for malpractice, as your wife did not need and should not have been given chemotherapy.

Republicans: politically spent

i would write your city news paper and let your city know what kind of activities this hospital does to people like yourself and your wife. this should not be kept hidden from the public. This is a scam done by a service meant to save lives. It should be brought to the public so they will know and maybe seek an alternative provider

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