What are employee rights under HIPAA?

[Guest evelopez]

My supervisor told us today that under HIPAA, we are no longer allowed to discuss amongst ourselves our illnesses, aches, and pains, etc. We were told that speaking of our illnesses may even lead to our termination. I have been doing some research on the web, but most things are over my head. From what I can gather, the privacy act applies mainly to medical offices, and our personell records, not our personal conversations about my snotty nose. Can someone please set me straight? Can you explain it in laymans terms? I am not sure how I go t to this message board. Please e-mail me directly at emcapwell@nc.rr.com.

[Guest evelopez]

I figured out how to get back here. If you want to reply, go ahead and do it here, in case someone else has similar questions.

[Guest kowen]

HIPAA governs how covered entities such as health care providers and health plans use and disclose health information, not how idividuals disclose their own information. Your employer's policy is most likely intended to reduce the risk of a HIPAA violation. For example, if you tell a co-worker about your own health condition and they tell someone else...and then someone in your benefits department discloses that information...

[Steve72]

I agree with Kowen. The rules you describe are not mandated by HIPAA, however, there is nothing preventing your employer from establishing this policy.

If your employer believes that this is necessary to comply with HIPAA, however, he is incorrect.