The owner of the company disclosed what I pay out of pocket for the employer sponsored heath insurance.

22 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 13,2022 at 11:17PM UTC

   Disclosed it to whom?

2. Cynthia Armistead NewmanJanuary 16,2022 at 3:02PM UTC

   She said it was in conversation with another employee, but also that "everyone" (I assume all the employees) could hear.

3. AnonymousJanuary 14,2022 at 1:15AM UTC

   Which would be the same as anyone else in the company that pays for the same level of health insurance for the same plan. What context is this? Was this about a specific claim?

4. AnonymousJanuary 16,2022 at 2:01PM UTC

   ”and other relevant factors” - if she choose to cover biological children, or recently adopted, if she got life insurance add on, if she choose to increase long term disability, etc. She is correct that her business is her business, regardless how inconsequential it is to another person. People are entitled to privacy and this was not ok.

5. AnonymousJanuary 18,2022 at 2:13PM UTC

   She says nothing about the context of how this was given. Doesn't say if he mentioned her specifically, her family make-up, etc. Your health insurance rates are NOT just based on age. (Hi, worked for a major health insurer for a decade.) It's based on the group rating by the insurer, the size of the business, the health risks associated with the group, how much of the premium the employer wants to pass on to the employee, etc. - that's what the underwriters determine based on MANY factors. For example, you might be rated higher as a 25 yo woman than as a 45 yo one because of what data tells them about the range of child-bearing years. And then the total cost for that plan or plans is spread throughout the whole group as part of that risk pool. The employee has a base rate for the benefits that are offered. If you have children or dependents that YOU choose to put on your insurance, then, yes, the cost will go up. They usually supply examples for what this will mean so that you can make an informed choice. No one person is going to bear the brunt of the costs based on age. If she wasn't specifically mentioned, and she just thinks it's about her, what violation could there be? Even if she's the only employee with children, the example will still be provided by the insurer so that new employees understand the cost. If the employer puts up in a presentation a graphic with the OP's particular situation and doesn't blind it, then yeah, that's a problem.

6. AnonymousJanuary 16,2022 at 2:22PM UTC

   So, as I’m understanding what you are saying, your employer shared with another employee how much you are paying for your health insurance and that the conversation had nothing to do with you, your benefits, or the health plan. So, in what context was this information shared?

7. GirlBossanova934974January 16,2022 at 2:47PM UTC

   So in the end, how would someone discern your age from a $ figure being paid for benefits? And after that, if another person knew your age, how is that related to invasion of medical privacy? In any employment lawsuit, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff or you.

8. AnonymousJanuary 30,2022 at 1:38AM UTC

   Because they ask all sorts of questions. I have not been able to get private insurance since college because I had cancer the first time when I was nineteen. If anyone could look past it, they couldn't look past the autoimmune disease that I was diagnosed with at twenty. Within another year, I had blood clots in my lungs due to the pill.

   I had great insurance for years because I went to work for companies that are self-insured; however, then they know what your medical expenses are and exactly what you are costing them. I was mentioned in a BOD meeting once. I didn't use the same last name at work and apparently, HR was unaware of my real last name as they talked about the expense of insuring me. The board said they would lay off two other people before they would let me go. <3

   I have even had multiple miscarriages, high lipids (genetic), and low blood pressure held against me. There are also lists that insurance companies blacklist people and share with their competitors. I am on them.

9. Cynthia Armistead NewmanJanuary 16,2022 at 3:03PM UTC

   He was rude at the very least! Have you told him that you feel he violated your privacy or asked him why he would do that?

10. Robin FinnellJanuary 16,2022 at 3:31PM UTC

    Unless there is a posted chart as to everyone's age and health payment for all to see, this seems like a huge invasion of privacy at the most and inappropriate behavior at the least. Not knowing what your relationship is with the owner, or what the fall out is depends on your next step. If you are comfortable, please inquire as to why this took place and indicate that you were uncomfortable with your info being shared. This has to be stressful and worrisome.

11. Laura Ann KleinJanuary 16,2022 at 4:02PM UTC
    1. Invasion of privacy when he shared. If you are in a union you need to file a complaint
    2. If you aren't unionized you could go to the state labor board.
    3. how did they do this with the ACA/Obama Care worker protections in place.
12. Karen GongawareJanuary 16,2022 at 4:33PM UTC

    HIPAA violation big time. Huge fines!

13. Jo-Anne HaberJanuary 16,2022 at 7:25PM UTC

    HIPAA Only Applies to Healthcare Providers, Which Usually Excludes Employers.

14. AnonymousJanuary 18,2022 at 2:04PM UTC

    Just because you think something is HIPAA-protected, or that someone is included in the law, doesn't mean you're correct. Find out more here: https://www.hipaajournal.com/what-is-considered-protected-health-information-under-hipaa/

15. Liz MilneJanuary 17,2022 at 4:46AM UTC

    Your privacy was violated.

    Be a better person than the owner and pull them to one side and say that not only did you hear them discussing your private information with a stranger, but everyone else in the office did too. And that you're not happy with your personal details being shared in such a way.

16. Jo-Anne HaberJanuary 17,2022 at 7:15PM UTC

    Though a violation of privacy this would not qualify as a HIPAA violation.

17. Shelby CJanuary 29,2022 at 5:09PM UTC

    Why isn't it a HIPAA violation? It is a "Release of Unauthorized Information".

18. Trina WadeJanuary 29,2022 at 1:49PM UTC

    At least your manager and others don’t spy on your private cell phone. That happened to me and completely isolated me from everyone and I am bullied and retaliated against what happened to me.

19. Shelby CJanuary 29,2022 at 5:07PM UTC

    If I am correct, this is protected private healthcare information and should be protected by HIPAA. This should fall under "Release of Unauthorized Health Information" which is up to a $50,000 fine, five years in prison, and/or plus restitution if prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law per time, so if he did it five times it could be up to 250k and 25 years in prison.

    No one has the right to discuss your personal business unless it is affecting your job performance and behind closed doors. I used to work for a company with a similar plan. It was awful.

20. Shelby CJanuary 29,2022 at 5:18PM UTC

    Well, this is as clear as mud.... It looks like it could possibly depend on how the plan is being administered; however, under normal circumstances your information has zero protection from HIPAA when given to your employer.

    https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/employers-health-information-workplace/index.html

21. Scott PiligrimmDecember 21,2023 at 3:26PM UTC

    I have health insurance that is valid on a permanent basis. Is it enough for travel? Or as a traveler, I need to take out new insurance? I'd be glad for advice, in short.

22. Sasha TellerDecember 21,2023 at 4:36PM UTC

    If I were you, I'd still read more info about your insurance and whether it works in other countries. Even if you need to take out new travel insurance, there are excellent options from the Auras company, more about which on the website https://auras.insure/travel-insurance-africa/tunisia/ . The advantage of insurance from Auras is that it covers cases that are not only related to health.