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Everyone is usually at some point in the process/system told about HIPPA rights etc. Several months ago I was in an emergency treatment/surgery/hospitalization/rehab situation for aortic dissection (often fatal). In yesterday's mail came a postcard sized fold out brochure addressed to "current resident" referring to aortic stenosis, valve disease, and taking control of it. The address I always use is my PO BOX due to mother having dementia and thinking all mail is hers. In fact this item had clear circular seals that were broken by time I received it. I do not have valve disease as far as I know to begin with, but now they no doubt, having passed that piece of mail on to me, think I do. My question is how would they (the company involved even know? And was my privacy, confidentiality and possibly HIPPA breached? This company apparently provides replacement valves. I am angry. Any thoughts? There is a card to rip off and return or a number to call to opt out of future mailings, I doubt I'll be told the truth if I call and try to figure out how they gained access to info....

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For your health, let it go.

There is much to be angry about going on, and I get it. This was personal to you.

Best of healing to you now!.

If you have a shredder, use it. Put some other stuff you don't need in there too.

Drink some water, maybe juice too.

Feel better soon!
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Don't respond. Then they will have you in their system for sure. Do not opt out. Just throw it away.
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I'd ask myself if this is the hill I wanted to die on.

It isn't.
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I have gotten mail for all sorts of ailments I don't have, I bet you have too. The fact this one hit closer to home is probably just random.

If it was meant FOR YOU, it would have come addressed TO YOU, not a PO Box.
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Mailing lists are sold by pharmacies, grocery store loyalty cards, insurance companies, etc. And addressed to Current Resident is nothing more than a random mass mailing. There are no grounds for a HIPPA violation with this card. It has no name, provider name, date of service, specific diagnosis, or place of service. Your confidentiality would not legally be considered breached with such a lack of information.
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I agree with NotGoodEnough...If you put this out ANYWHERE on Social Media (and actually, you just did) you are prey to anyone seeing it. You can see that there are advertisers on this site. This site is open to any and all.
When I look up something on Amazon such as a knee brace they then show up everywhere from my mail box to my facebook feed. Nothing on the internet is private. You may be in for a good deal more mailings now that you just posted here. The sad thing is that you can look up someones name, find out when they bought their home, for how much, and last tax base, and then you can zoom on in on that home itself.
There is very little that is private anymore.
Social Media sites don't promise not to share our information for the most part.
It sure is an interesting question, and had that happened to me I would be pretty shocked myself. You are right, however....they aren't going to tell you a thing. I always feel somewhat safe here, as my full name isn't used. But still............there are so many ways to get our information it is shocking these days.
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Forgive my ignorance, but if the card was addressed to 'Current Resident', what makes you think it was for YOU? Since your name was not on the mailing, you will be told there was no HIPPA breach of confidentiality at all and it was a mass mailing sent to thousands of people in a certain age group. That's not to say it wasn't meant for you, but it's a way to not be held responsible for anything, I would think.

I agree with notgoodenough, throw it out and do not respond!!!
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Have you done any internet searches about your condition? Ordered any sort of supplements? Posted on social media? When I was caring for my mom, I found that if I did any sort of internet searches about her condition, medication, supplements, etc. I would receive loads of junk mail within days touting this cure or that cure. I have even been starting to get mail about supplemental medicare insurance plans, even though I am years away from medicare.
I wouldn't worry overmuch about it. I wouldn't even respond, otherwise they know they have a "live" body at the other end getting their mail. I personally would just shred it and not think about it.
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gdaughter Jan 2021
good points, but it seemed so specific, I just would like a little revenge I guess. They make such points about confidentiality, and this was so specific...plus living with the elders may well make them think I have this problem when I don't. Not that it wasnt serious...but still. WHo knows...maybe posting HERE was what tipped them off? Good point about not responding in a way....
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I wonder if it came from the surgeons office? When u were admitted, did you give ur PO box or street address? Not sure if its a HIPPA violation as such. But if it were me, I also would like to who gave out my address. But then it says current resident. That means a mass mailing of a company. May just be a coincidence. Ask ur neighbors if they got one.
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gdaughter Jan 2021
Well, I was sort of out of it when the squad got me to take me to the hospital, BUT I was already in the system and the ONLY address I ever give out is the PO BOX. Maybe if they had/used my name it would get them in more trouble, rather than the generic "current resident" Certainly stupid and expensive to do a generic mailing for valve replacement to everyone....
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This is worrisome. Perhaps your insurance company shared your information. Or there has been a security breach.

I would start with a telephone call to the hospital. Ask them how your private medical information has wound up in the hands of a marketing company.
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