Did you know that Mr. Gibbons, that little old white haired man that was here this morning, is an alcoholic?  Who would have thought?  The medical insurance specialist told this to the recetptionist as they walked through the waiting room on their way out the door at the end of the day.  Just by chance, a neighbor of Mr. Gibbons was just finishing up her visit and happened to still be in the lobby.  She had even chatted with Mr. Gibbons earlier that day as she watered her flowers and he walked his dog.  She didn’t know Mr. Gibbons was an alcoholic until she overheard the gossip of the receptionist and the medical insurance/billing and coding specialist.  In this case we discover what may appear to be innocent gossip can have far reaching implications for the medical billing and coding specialist and her employer because conversations regarding patients are likey to reveal confidential medical information.  This is in violation of mediacl ethics and the law.

After Mr Gibbons learned that his medical condition was told to everyone in the waiting room, he consulted an attorney who brought charges against the medical insurance specialist, the healthcare provider, and the healthcare facility.  Medical billing and insurance specialists work with patients and their records.  These records must remain confidential.  This is in adherence to ethical and legal standards common to the medical profession.  Just think.  How would you feel if you had private information shared about you?  It was a coincidence that Mr. Gibbons neighbor overheard these girls talking….but you should always think twice about gossiping and spreading information about others.

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