In Oklahoma, people are frequently concerned about various aspects of health insurance coverage. One issue that frequently arises is the access to their private health information, who has it, and how it is used. This is a worrisome issue with the speed at which people can garner another person’s health details and potentially use it in a negative way.
This information can also be used by health insurance companies. While these companies are supposed to provide a service for customers in an objective manner, they might try to use a person’s private health information (shortened to PHI) in unethical ways.
For people who are worried about the accessibility of their information, it is important to understand the laws that protect a person’s information, when PHI can be accessed, and what can be done of the insurance company acquired it and based a decision on that information which they were not supposed to have. In these cases, there are options.
HIPAA laws protect people’s health information and negative consequences
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law dictating who has access to a person’s private health information and when. The state also has its rules regarding HIPAA.
HIPAA is simply a protective device against a person’s private information being available to individuals and entities who are not approved to see it. That includes health insurance companies. The objective in the health insurance context is to give a person the freedom to get and retain their health insurance coverage without the company denying them or making other adverse decisions based on their medical history. Without a person giving their consent, the information cannot be dispensed.
Health insurance companies that have information about a person’s medical past can base their decisions on it. For example, if a prospective policy holder has a predisposition or family health history for heart problems or diabetes – even if they do not have those health challenges at the time – the insurance company might charge them more for a policy or refuse to cover them at all.
Since so many people see their finances decimated by a medical issue or emergency that is not covered, health insurance is crucial. When the companies decide not to cover someone, limit their coverage or make the premiums so high that they cannot even afford them, the reason could violate the law.
A dispute with an insurance company can be complicated
Whether a person believes an insurance company acquired their health information without their knowledge, a claim was denied for frivolous reasons, a person’s coverage was outright dropped, or there is a dispute over payment, it is wise to have professional assistance in fighting back. Contacting those who are experienced in health insurance disputes is a first step toward holding these companies accountable for their alleged illegal behaviors.