Question
Hello,
I work at a utility company. They provide psycological services through a special dept. I will use a made up name of mcmecon. Mcmecon only deals with psychological services. My mother works at this same company. I went to the psycologist back in december. They sent a bill for it to her house with the dr. I saw and there name (MCMECON) printed clearly on the bill. Along with the date of services rendered. I called the doctor to insure all the information provided to Mcmecon was correct. It checked out. I contacted Mcmecon about the incident which they conceded to be there fault and that they made a billing error. The bill they sent showed her as the employee and me being under her insurance. WHich would have been accurate over 3 to 4 years ago. I have billed stuff through them several times since having my own insurance with no problems. They apologized and told me I have the right to file a formal complaint through there company which I did.
I was horrified for my mother to open that bill and now wonder what was wrong with me. Now she is concerned and I am embarassed and ashamed. I feel my privacy has been trampled on. Should I pursue this matter further? Is there any grounds to persue this further? Please help!! And if you need any further information please let me know.
BTW I LIVE IN OHIO...THANKS!!!
Answer
Did the provider send the bill/letter adressed to you at your mothers hour or to your mother?
Answer
Hello,
It was addressed to me. But it was sent to her house. Under her insurance. With the companys name(MCMECON) on the outside of the envelope. And I have not lived there in 6 years. If you have any other questions I will be sure to answer them. Thanks!
Also, I would like to add that since this transaction was under her account even though it was addressed to me all the info is on her account. WHich is easlily accessed by her online.
Answer
Is there any grounds to persue this further?
My guess is it will be seen as a simlpe mistake and would not go very far. You are free to report this to the Office of Civil Rights (easily found by a search engine) who regulates healthcare privacy. As to a lawsuit, you'd have to check with an attorney to see if you could find someone to take your case. As I said, I doubt you will find one, but you are free to check into it.
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Thanks!! I never really considered a lawyer I was thinking more along the lines of the Office Of Civil Rights that you suggested. I didnt know where I would take my complaint. So I will definately google that. Thanks for that.
However It to me is sad that breaching my confidentiality is seen as a simple mistake is very disturbing. Is that how everyone feels? That this was a simple mistake and I have nothing to be upset about? Maybe I am overreacting but I feel like I have had my rights violated. What do the rest of you think? I apreciate all the feedback..
Answer
The bill they sent showed her as the employee and me being under her insurance. WHich would have been accurate over 3 to 4 years ago.
Sorry, but the situation you describe simply does NOT make any sense..... unless the error was in YOUR giving them incorrect information. For the scenario to happen as you claim, someone would have had to know you were the daughter of this completely separate person (with NOTHING on your paperwork to that effect) and then over-ride the address you show on your paperwork with her address.
How do you propose that the billing company got HER address on YOUR bill?
Also, from your later post, you said it was sent to her address with your name. That, in itself, is not a violation of anything. She should not have opened it (if she did) and the name in the return address does NOT violate your privacy.
Should I pursue this matter further?
File your complaint, let it proceed through the system, then forget it.
Is there any grounds to persue this further?
No.
Answer
What is your problem? Your acting like I made this up. This is what happened as far as I know. The Dr. office turned my info in for billing. I double checked that they had the correct info. Including my insurance ID number. They did. I checked with the provider and they did confirm that the correct info was given. They also informed me that since it was not filed through my social security number but some insurance ID # that is gets automatically reffered to another section of billing for verification. This is where the mistake was made. I do not understand how but it was. And again I was on her insurance through this same company 4years ago. She works at the same company with same insurance. Why they would choose to send this one there and not to me I will never understand. Why they used her acoount and showed me as under her account I will never know. But it DID happen. I spoke with a supervisor from there company they are the ones that informed me of how this all happened. IF you read my post The company ADMITS to making the mistake. Why would I waste my time making this up? Why would you waste your time replying if you think that is what happened? You must have some EGO to skim my post and think you know exactly what happened. Why would the company admit to the mistake and tell me how it was made if it didn't happen hotshot? Please read my post before you waste everyones time.....
I am just looking for some advice here not a hard time. I welcome anyones help. Thanks!!
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I know this mistake seems hard to make. That is why I am upset. When I said pursue this further IF YOU READ ANY OF THE POST...I meant such as where could I file my complaint.
Yes the letter was addressed to me but sent to her address. The companies name on the outside McMecon Behavioral Health Services. Since this was billed to HER account all my info was visible to her regarding my treatment...All she had to do was access her account online....which she did.
Answer
What is your problem?
I don't have one.
Your acting like I made this up.
Only because that is the ONLY circumstance that makes sense.
They also informed me that since it was not filed through my social security number but some insurance ID # that is gets automatically reffered to another section of billing for verification. This is where the mistake was made.
Wanna' bet that your insurance ID still shows your mothers address??
And again I was on here insureance through this same company 4years ago.
Even more reason to suspect the address 'confusion'. Likely that you are looking at the records based on your SSN.... and they are using your insurance ID#.
Why they would choose to send this one there I will never understand.
See above.
IF you read my post The company ADMITS to making the mistake.
Not relevant. So, someone said they made a mistake. They could have said that to just get you off the line. Or maybe they actually thought they made a mistake. Or maybe they actually did. None of that is relevant.
Why would I waste my time making this up?
I didn't say you made it up.... only that your 'version' doesn't make any sense. As I said... someone, somewhere would have had to MANUALLY change the address to your mothers for what you say happened. And that the someone knew you were her daughter, and knew her address, etc. is just too unlikely. There is another explanation (probably related to the ID#/SSN confusion).
Why would you waste your time replying if you think that is what happened?
Why not??
You must have some EGO to skim my post and think you know exactly what happened.
Oh, jeeze... here we go with the pissed off attitude.
Why would the company admit to the mistake and tell me how it was made if it didn't happen hotshot?
Probably because you are a whiney bitch who simply won't take a reasonable answer.... and continued to piss and moan to them as you are here. You are refusing to accept the fact that mistakes happen.... and insist on trying to win the 'legal lottery' over this.... even when FACTS don't support it.
I am just looking for some advice here not a hard time. I welcome anyones help. Thanks!!
Clearly, from your piss and moan reply, you are ONLY looking for someone who agrees with you..... and NOT "welcome" to anyones help.
Here is all the help you need.....
File your complaint.
You do NOT have a basis for a lawsuit.
Now, get over yourself.
Answer
"Wanna' bet that your insurance ID still shows your mothers address??"
Yeah I would love to bet...I have billed stuff through the same doctor and other doctors and have received them at my current address with no problem. All through my insurance ID.
Your are a true class act with poor reading skills. I am a MAN...This is my mom. If you read the post you would know that. I am not looking for a lawsuit but an avenue to pursue a complaint. I love you internet tough guys.
Your foolish to think that this is not how it happened. You are basing it on what? Your half ass ability to skim a post? The mistake was made. It happened the way they said. I confirmed with the doctors office that my ID number was given correctly and they confirmed while I was on the phone. Not only with the customer service rep but the supervisor as well. They are the ones that informed me I had a right to file a complaint. I am a very reasonable person. I dont know what part you dont get. But regardless I am done with you. I am not looking for someone to agree with me I am looking for someone who can read to respond to my post. Thanks!!
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I am concerned about my privacy rights not a legal lottery. I am very upset this mistake was made and would like to file complaints anywhere it applies. I am not interested in a lawsuit...PLEASE READ...
Anyone else I do welcome your responses.....regardless of your point of view...As long as it is a slightly informed one!!
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Your are a true class act with poor reading skills. I am a MAN...This is my mom.
You are an idiot!! Who gives a crap what gender you are?? And how is that relevant to the issue??
If you read the post you would know that.
Know what?? That you are male?? Not only did I NOT make any statements as to what gender you are.... if I did, it means nothing as to the accuracy of my post(s).
I am not looking for a lawsuit but an avenue to pursue a complaint.
Gee... this is YOUR insurance company.... your MOTHER works there... and you can't figure out how to contact them??
I think we see why you went to them!
I love you internet tough guys.
Huh??? Sounds like you have a disassociative disorder.
Your foolish to think that this is not how it happened.
Do you mean "You're"??
I am not looking for someone to agree with me I am looking for someone who can read to respond to my post.
So, let me respond AGAIN:
"Should I pursue this matter further?" No.
"Is there any grounds to persue this further?" No.
And from the part of your post you deleted:
"I meant such as where could I file my complaint."
No one can tell you where to file a complaint without knowing the EXACT name of the company. So, contact THEM and ask what system (if any) they have for lodging a complaint against their conduct.
Gee, that was pretty simple, huh??
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I am not talking about pursuing this through there company. Yeah I am sure a lot of good will come from filing a complaint through the company that made the mistake. I am sure they will police themselves. I was wondering what avenues there are to explore outside of the company. Someone mentioned the office of civil rights...This is what I am reffering to...AGAIN if you read the post you would know that I already filed the complaint through there company. It is not like they sent a bill for a broken bone. It was for mental health treatment.
You did say more than once that I was her daughter. Your inability to read is amazing but you have time to correct my gramatical errors. WOW!! You could teach grade school english. I didn't know I was being graded...These are forums not my graduate thesis. Have you done yours? Have you even attended a junior college....I doubt it...You cannot even remember what you posted 5 mins ago.
Answer
Clearly, you are an idiot... who needs treatment.
File your 'complaint' with anyone you want.
Start by sending your letter to:
Governor Bob Taft
30th Floor
77 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6117
Be sure to ask the nurse to write it for you. I doubt the governor will give much credence to your writing in crayon. Oh, and be sure to have someone proof it for you.... your poor grammar and punctuation will also affect your credibility with 'The Gov'.
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Very classy.