Chủ Nhật, 4 tháng 8, 2024

Were my HIPAA rights violated? My new employer asked for detailed medical info

I got laid off and was lucky to be hired and work without losing any time. My first day was July 19. The company is based in Virginia, and I live in Texas and work remotely. After not receiving my benefits package in the US Mail for a week, I emailed HR and asked for a URL (Cigna) and login credentials so I could at least provide my ex-wife proof of coverage for our kids. Their reply, "As a first step please complete the health questionnaire by following the provided link." The link was to a Microsoft Forms questionnaire and asked some questions I felt invasive. For instance:

  • Have you or any of your dependents included on this enrollment form within the past 5 years received treatment, testing, consulted with or received a diagnosis from a physician or provider for any of the following? (This question had a plethora of symptoms to select)
  • In the last 5 years, have you or any of your dependents included on this enrollment form: a. Been diagnosed with or treated for any condition(s) not identified above? ☐ Yes ☐ No b. Been advised of the necessity or possibility of any future hospitalization, treatment, testing or surgery?...☐ Yes ☐ No
  • Have medications been prescribed in the past 18 months for you and/or any dependents included on this enrollment form. (Include pills, creams, injections, liquids, inhalers, pumps, etc.) ☐ Yes ☐ No
  • Please provide FULL DETAILS to any yes/checked answers  including condition(s), treatment(s), medication(s), and dates. Condition/Diagnosis 7.Dates Treated Treatment including Medications and Dosage Date Last Taken Prognosis

Being the new guy and just grateful that I had a job with full benefits, I felt I had to comply even though it made me very uncomfortable as I've had five surgeries and other ailments over the past six years, and the ex is ruthless. Bothered, I followed up with another email which said, "I do have a follow up question and don't mean to rock the boat; however, it was uncomfortable providing my personal medical history and submitting it by Microsoft Forms. I thought employees were protected by certain ADA and HIPAA laws, am I incorrect? I certainly don't want to be denied and by divorce decree must cover my children.

I can understand asking general health questions, but being asking for "full details" felt invasive and I'm not sure how secure putting that information in Microsoft Forms is.

And this is how HR replied,

"To answer your question, it is a requirement of our carrier for our SB Insurance pool. You will also find the same question on the enrollment form. Don't worry about your enrollment; I will handle it for you."

Should I be concerned? Were they asking too much and were my rights violated? I tried to do some research myself, but most sources tell me to first contact my HR rep, which was who I've been communicating with. Also, if SB stands for something other than "sickness benefit" please correct me, it was the best answer I could find since I'm unfamilar with it.



https://ift.tt/6kSzEIU Submitted August 04, 2024 at 10:05AM by P1Day1 https://ift.tt/ayOBFiP

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