Sam Sloan has violated the employers obligations under HIPPA and has
opened the USCF up to Federal lawsuits.
That is why you were banned and should probably be removed from your
position. It was just a plain dumb and illegal thing to do Sam.

Will HIPAA stop gossip?

Rumors and gossip about medical conditions or treatment are a
concern to many people. This is particularly true in small
communities where neighbors, friends, and former in-laws might work
at the only hospital in town. Under HIPAA, access to sensitive
medical information should be limited to those who have a need to
know. However, no system can ever stop gossip. If you find that any
of your sensitive medical information is disclosed through the
grapevine, you should not hesitate to report it to the health care
service and file a complaint with the HHS.

Health care providers must pay attention to accidental disclosures
through routine conversation. A doctor, nurse, or technician may
violate the HIPAA Rule simply by saying to a third party that they
saw a particular individual at the clinic last week. That statement
discloses that the individual is a patient who sought care, and both
of those facts are "protected health information" (PHI) under HIPAA.
The disclosure might be particularly sensitive if the physician is a
psychiatrist, but the same policy applies to family practitioners,
pharmacists, and dental hygienists too.

11. Complaints and Penalties for Violations

What can I do if someone violates the HIPAA Privacy Rule?
You don't have the right to sue under HIPAA. The most you can do is
file a complaint. The privacy notice you receive from your health
care provider or plan is required to tell you how to file a
complaint within the organization. The notice should also tell you
how to contact the HHS Office of Civil Rights. This is the
government office charged with enforcing the Privacy Rule.

You must file your complaint within 180 days of the violation, but
HHS can extend that time. HIPAA says you cannot be denied treatment
because you file a complaint.

Even though the HIPAAA Privacy Rule does not give you the right to
sue, other federal or state laws or regulations might give you the
right to bring an action in court for violations of your privacy. If
you feel your rights have been violated, you may want to discuss the
situation with an attorney.

Filing Complaints under HIPAA
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Office of Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C., 20201
(866) 627-7748
www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa
For the regional office nearest you, www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaahealth.txt
Or email: OCRComplaint@...

Rob Mitchell, LUTCF