HIPPA Regualtions

Ok Im frustrated! I called my Insurance company today ( Health Now POS) to see if counseled nutritionist program would qualify for the 6 months monitored diet program since it was referred by my PCP. The lady was very nice and had to get back with me on the answer. Wish was fine I just wanted to see if that covered or if i was going to have to call anopther weight loss program and get documentation that I worked through them. So long story short after being told from a supervisor that I could not get  list of  "QUALIFYING" things ie whats considered approved weight loss programs or any thing else that I would need ready to turn into insurance to be approved" I asked specifiaclly about nurtitionist and was told that they could npt tell me that due to HIPPA regulations.??? Am I going crazy here but shouldn't I be allowed to know what qualify's me as the patient??? confused !!! Beth

You are not going crazy Beth. They are giving you the run-around by tring to use medical-legal "terms" to try to put you off. Don't fall for it. I am convinced after my two year fight that it has become a "game" that many insurance companies play. The sad thing is that many times the loser is the patient and the patient's family. The patient's quality of life and more importantly their length of life. This is not a game to me or my family. It has become a battle instead. Keep fighting the battle!! God bless, Ilene

That is just total bull**** I'm a medical coder and have taken classes on HIPPA. Theya re giving you the runaround. Call your employer or who ever "holds" your policy. Talk to someone in the HR Dept. They can get you a list of what is neded. HIPPA protects YOU!

 I called to request information about Criterias for Weight-loss surgery. And asked if they could send me something in the mail that would help me understand their policies for WLS. She told me that she could not send me anything but, she could send it to my Doctor if requested by my Doctor. So right now I'm kind of in the dark about what is needed to be approved for WLS.  I think I know but, I'm not 100% sure and its driving me crazy.  I have Medicaid/DSHS (I pay a premium every month)

I work in self funded plans, and have been having a run around with blue cross of california about pre-existing conditions, which prompted me to contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who has provided me with the Federal Register on the final decision on hipaa.  Hipaa act of 1996 has nothing to do with why they can't give you information. Insurance companies are supposed to keep your "phi" personal health information private, not the information they need to provide you in order to get approved for surgery. HIPAA has alot to do with keeping that information private, but also what's a pre-existing condition, how far they can investigate into your medical history to see if your illness is pre-existing, and when they can impose the pre-existing limitation on your plan and for how long. It also describes what prior credible coverage is and the waiting period just to become eligible for health insurance.  HIPAA says alot of things, but none of them have to do with the insurance company withholding their own information.