One day I received an unexpected call from a health insurance company that left me navigating the intricacies of insurance coordination, all while maintaining the utmost respect for HIPAA regulations.
The Surprise Call
One day, my phone rang, and the caller ID displayed the name of a health insurance company. Curiosity piqued, I answered the call, only to be greeted by a courteous representative on the other end. The reason for their call? They were inquiring about my health insurance from my second job.
Understanding the Situation
I quickly realized that this call was related to the coordination of benefits. For those unfamiliar with the term, coordination of benefits is a process used by insurance companies to determine which insurer pays first when a person is covered by multiple insurance plans. In my case, my first job’s health insurance company was trying to ascertain whether my second job’s health insurance was primary or secondary, ensuring a seamless coverage process. The representative was focused on pinpointing the starting date to establish which coverage came first.
The HIPAA Factor
While I understood the importance of their inquiry, I was also aware of the stringent regulations set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA safeguards the privacy and security of individuals’ health information, and this meant that the insurance company couldn’t disclose any sensitive information to my HR department without my explicit consent.
How I Handled the Situation
- I asked the representative to verify their identity and the purpose of the call to ensure it wasn’t a phishing attempt.
- I expressed my understanding of the need for coordination of benefits but also conveyed my concern regarding HIPAA compliance.
- I provided the required information about the starting dates and confirming to the representative that’s my first job health insurance was primary.
Conclusion
My experience with the health insurance company was a reminder that in the world of overemployment, being prepared for the unexpected is key to success.