A woman in Santa Barbara, Calif., was incensed by a prescription refill reminder her drug store sent. A Washington, D.C., woman was humiliated to see her photo in a national magazine after the woman had cosmetic surgery. Only about a third trust health insurers and government programs like Medicare. One step most people don't want to take is challenging their health plan, says Givens of the Patient Rights Clearinghouse. The biggest fear of individuals, consumer advocates say, is that employers or insurers will use their records against them, denying them jobs, promotions or health coverage.
Most employers require health plans to keep employee records confidential.
Co-workers find out the individual is battling depression or alcoholism, things that have a taboo element. Insurers and employers say, however, that violations in the workplace are rare. Mary Jane England, M.D., president of the nonprofit Washington Business Group on Health, agrees. She says employers need data to assure workplace safety and for preventive care and disability management. All of those are very important as they relate to our employees.