If a police officer tells me details about a neighbor's histoy of schizophrenic issues is this breaking HIPPA

Question

He talked about it at length , that she had a mental illness and she was committed and when and where she was taken. I have very good reason to ask this question and am one of the most law abiding citizens alive.

he is a local police officer who has been involved over the years with taking her in. I am not happy that he broke her confidence or medical info. I like police officers, we just have an unusual situation here and I wanted to know the law. What he says is true, but I don't think in his position he should be repeating it. I am a retired elem teacher who knew oodles of things about kids and their parents I wouldn't think of repeating and we didn' t even have HIPPA. I just think if he is all that he thinks he is, rather arrogant, then maybe he should watch his P's and Q's and HIPPA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Yes, that officer knowing broke an oath to protect and serve...that does not mean that to protect and serve is telling someone's medical history of someone they know or were arrested...If an officer I knew did that?...I would call Internal Affairs in that state...Let them handle him or her...Whether that officer knows it or not?..He just set himself up for lawsuit city if this other person with the condition finds out...that person could sue and use you as the witness....If he arrested her or him and had to take that person before a medical personell?...then yes, he is part of the HIPPA...so, my advice?..call internal affairs in your state...would be the capital....information would give you this....

Answer 2

There's a fine line between privacy and secrecy. I don't know if HIPPA applies to cops, but if somebody walks around in public view exhibiting odd behavior then it might be a good thing for his neighbors to understand that he has a perfectly legitimate medical condition and not to take offense at it or panic about it (and to seek help for him if he becomes lost or disoriented). Most schizophrenics are absolutely harmless to others, but can frighten people and risk getting ostracized, harrassed, or even assaulted by those who don't understand their condition. The same applies to other problems such as senile dementia (i.e. Alzheimers). I would want to know if a neighbor has a relative with that problem, so I could lend assistance if he starts wandering around outside and might possibly put himself into any danger.

Answer 3

That depends on where he got the information. If she works for the police department and it is in her medical file then yes. How is he connected to her? I could say my neighbor was suffering from any number of illnesses but if I do not have a medical or employment relationship with them, I'm not bound by hippa regulations.

Answer 4

you realize what? you basically can no longer please all of us. of direction there is often some idiots who say that the police are undesirable, etc. I guess they might substitute their track if somebody became banging on THEIR door with a gun and a butcher knife interior the direction of the evening! they may be the 1st ones to call 911 and cry like a touch one if the police weren't there in below 30 seconds. i'm undecided who're mentally ill- the individuals waving the weapons or the individuals who whinge whilst they get what they deserve!!!

Answer 5

police aren't bound by hipaa....any call the police respond to is public record. however, if he worked for an ambulance company, it would be different.

he didn't technically have the right to tell you these things but my best guess is that he was concerned for your safety.

Answer 6

first off why is he telling you this? are you an insurance investigator or doctor treating her? what is it that you could do with this info ? is this just gossip? if it's the last one then there is no law violated, it's just gossip.