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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by coral on November 21, 2000, at 12:26:41
To all:
Has anyone seen the website: www.personalpath.com? It's designed to help people keep track of their medical records, information, etc. However, if a person has BlueCross/BlueShield, THEY will supply your records if you request it, and in Michigan, apparently BC/BS will be sending their subscribers password info. Is there anyone else besides me who sees something terribly wrong with this picture??????
The site promises absolute confidentiality. Right. Microsoft can get hacked and, yet, this website promises confidentiality??????????
Coral
Posted by Emmanuela on November 23, 2000, at 0:49:30
In reply to privacy, posted by coral on November 21, 2000, at 12:26:41
>Hi Coral - There is a proposal that I'll email to you if you're interested. My bro is a doc in Ohio, and the idea is to keep all patients' records in one central place, able to be accessed (even a smart card for the patient) by those authorised by the patient. I'll ask him about the hacking potential and how they've addressed that. Are you interested in reading the proposal?
Emmanuela
Posted by coral on November 23, 2000, at 5:42:49
In reply to Re: privacy, posted by Emmanuela on November 23, 2000, at 0:49:30
Thank you, Emmauela,
I would like to read it. I think there's such a huge chance for abuse. Frankly, I don't want BC/BS or any insurance company putting my records on an electronic forum that is publicly accessible.
Coral
Posted by shar on November 23, 2000, at 7:01:36
In reply to Re: privacy, posted by coral on November 23, 2000, at 5:42:49
I agree completely. Hacking is much to large a probability, plus, even now, insurance companies can tell employers about your health/mental health status--when it is none of the employer's business. Not to mention how it can be abused to deny people coverage.
I'm very careful how I fill out forms in the dr's office because I'm always thinking of the info getting to people who can abuse it.
One gynecologist I saw had a question about "how many people have you had sex with in your lifetime" and I thought that was a hoot. So, I gave her the last decade instead.
There is also an organization that collects information like a credit bureau, except it's health related, and people (potential insurers, probably employers) can get a report of someone's history. When I told the doc that she sort of rolled her eyes and said she'd never heard of it. About a year later it was on 60 minutes and in a couple of news magazines.
Shar
Posted by coral on November 23, 2000, at 7:17:59
In reply to Re: privacy » coral, posted by shar on November 23, 2000, at 7:01:36
LOL
The good docs are finding ways around a lot of the ins. crap. My therapist keeps two sets of records; one that is essentially indecipherable, except to provide enough info. to maintain insurance payments and the real one.
I also get a kick out of docs, et al, who erroneously believe that I don't have a right to see them. Not only is that attitude a violation of the AMA, the state I live in has statutes that specifically prohibit withholding records from a patient when they're requested. My gynecologist told me this joke and it does put it in perspective for SOME doctors. What's the difference between God and doctors? God doesn't think he's a doctor.
Coral
Posted by Emmanuela on November 24, 2000, at 2:48:32
In reply to Re: privacy, posted by coral on November 23, 2000, at 7:17:59
Coral - If you want to email me your email address, I'll attach the proposal.
E
Posted by Noa on November 24, 2000, at 12:14:20
In reply to Re: privacy, posted by Emmanuela on November 24, 2000, at 2:48:32
This is truly scary. I agree we need to do what we can to stop this trend, but the horse is probably way out of the barn already, no?
Posted by stjames on November 24, 2000, at 15:35:21
In reply to Re: privacy, posted by Noa on November 24, 2000, at 12:14:20
> This is truly scary. I agree we need to do what we can to stop this trend, but the horse is probably way out of the barn already, no?
James here....
Correct in the larger sence. Privacy has been an illusion for some time, the public is just realizing this fact. Also the public often worries
about what are minor problems given the greater context.The FBI just used "Scavanger" to harvest all internet traffic (AP-Wire) not to mention the main
backbone out of the US goes thru VA, the home of the CIA. Decades old software can snoop this traffic, "Scavanger" is nothing new. Long distance phone calls, which are often sent over microwave, are totally legal to snoop. HMO's can and have been sharing your chart. We lost true medical privacy some time ago, only when you paid the doc in full and did the paperwork yourself.James
This is the end of the thread.
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