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RE: privacy violations
Does anyone else think this is weird?
I called my sales rep at ViaCord and she told me that she was just on the phone with a friend of mine who recommended me to receive information about their service. She then told me which friend it was and that my friend will be banking with them. She told me all about how my friend would get $50 for recommending me if I sign up (even though I had already made contact). She then admitted that she told my friend that I was already in their system b/c I called to inquire a few weeks ago. Then, I went to the ViaCord website. They have a gift resgistry there. So I decided to look and see if another friend had used ViaCord. I found my other friend on their registry. So, from a website I know where a friend has banked. From a phone call I found out where another friend is banking and she found out that I had inquired about it. I do not mean to pick on ViaCord all the time as I will probably use them. I just wonder if HIPAA and other privacy laws apply to these cord blood banks and if not, why not? (Ok, I'm a lawyer, I should research it myself-- I just want to know what people think of this practice).
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Posted 7/13/07 9:49 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
waterspout4
My loves
Member since 5/06 19150 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: RE: privacy violations
Ok, thank God you put that last sentence.  I'm thinking 'Wouldn't you be the best person to know this?'
That is kind of weird and freaky.
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| Posted 7/13/07 9:51 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
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Re: RE: privacy violations
I have a feeling that VIACORD doesnt have to adhere to the HIPPA Laws. Its kind of hard to explain why specifically..BUT being a lawyer Im sure you're aware of how there are loopholes...HIPPA Laws pertain to a Persons medical records and a patients confidentiality etc...There is probably some gray area there regarding cord blood and who is the actual patient etc...I hope this makes some sense.
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| Posted 7/13/07 11:41 PM |
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Re: RE: privacy violations
Posted by hbugalla
I have a feeling that VIACORD doesnt have to adhere to the HIPPA Laws. Its kind of hard to explain why specifically..BUT being a lawyer Im sure you're aware of how there are loopholes...HIPPA Laws pertain to a Persons medical records and a patients confidentiality etc...There is probably some gray area there regarding cord blood and who is the actual patient etc...I hope this makes some sense.
True but I feel like I always err on the side of following some rules that may not technically apply to me, and so should they. I also feel that in the future, cord blood banks will be more regulated, and they will have to comply even if they don't right now. I am willing to bet that there is no specific exception for cord blood banks, but it is all about interpretation. I don't know if I want to add looking into this to the list of a million things I want to get done but it troubles me a little bit.
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| Posted 7/14/07 12:22 AM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9537 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Re: RE: privacy violations
Posted by ssdbk
Posted by hbugalla
I have a feeling that VIACORD doesnt have to adhere to the HIPPA Laws. Its kind of hard to explain why specifically..BUT being a lawyer Im sure you're aware of how there are loopholes...HIPPA Laws pertain to a Persons medical records and a patients confidentiality etc...There is probably some gray area there regarding cord blood and who is the actual patient etc...I hope this makes some sense.
True but I feel like I always err on the side of following some rules that may not technically apply to me, and so should they. I also feel that in the future, cord blood banks will be more regulated, and they will have to comply even if they don't right now. I am willing to bet that there is no specific exception for cord blood banks, but it is all about interpretation. I don't know if I want to add looking into this to the list of a million things I want to get done but it troubles me a little bit.
Kerie - HIPAA laws don't apply to cord blood banks b/c they are not electronically billing the insurance company. Sounds strange I know, but my dentist does all paper billing - no electronic - and they never asked me to sign the HIPAA info thing and when I asked they told me they didn't have to b/c of that.
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| Posted 7/14/07 4:52 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: RE: privacy violations
Posted by ssdbk
Posted by hbugalla
I have a feeling that VIACORD doesnt have to adhere to the HIPPA Laws. Its kind of hard to explain why specifically..BUT being a lawyer Im sure you're aware of how there are loopholes...HIPPA Laws pertain to a Persons medical records and a patients confidentiality etc...There is probably some gray area there regarding cord blood and who is the actual patient etc...I hope this makes some sense.
True but I feel like I always err on the side of following some rules that may not technically apply to me, and so should they. I also feel that in the future, cord blood banks will be more regulated, and they will have to comply even if they don't right now. I am willing to bet that there is no specific exception for cord blood banks, but it is all about interpretation. I don't know if I want to add looking into this to the list of a million things I want to get done but it troubles me a little bit.
I agree with you completely...and it troubles me as well.
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| Posted 7/14/07 6:06 PM |
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