ComplaintsforOnestop Aesthetic Travel and Wellness Center

• Initial Complaint

  06/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I initially went to see ********************** at OneStop Aesthetic Travel and Wellness Center on 5/7/2024 with a follow up on 5/14/2024 to receive support and referrals to address a medical illness. After feeling pressured to receive unwanted pharmaceuticals as treatment, I decided to go to a different provider which was more compatible with my medical needs and preferred treatment types alternative to taking drugs / medication.My medical illness onset occurred on 4/29/2024 and is ongoing and under continuous treatment with a different provider currently. ********************** recommended medication which I rejected due to this being against my personal and religious values. I shared that I was looking for alternative treatment plans and she provided referrals to a couple other doctor offices. After the two visits, I decided that this medical facility was not a good fit for my needs and went to a different provider.Four weeks later, ********************** proceeded to illegally provide information to my disability insurance (********) rejecting my leave from work and providing false information about my return to work date when I was no longer receiving any treatment or visits with her. Additionally, I had never signed or agreed to any release or authorization of my medical information to be shared with any third parties.

  Business response

  06/24/2024

  We have performed the tasked asked by Ms **************** Attached is the email sent to ******** as well.

  Customer response

  08/08/2024

  Dear *******************,
  
  I am writing to address recent developments regarding the outstanding invoice of $253.02 for services provided on May 7, 2024, and May 14, 2024, and to highlight further HIPAA violations.
  
  1. Billing Dispute: I continue to dispute the charges due to the incorrect and unauthorized release of my personal information to ******** and inaccuracies related to return-to-work dates and non-existent doctor visits. The documentation provided does not resolve these concerns. As previously stated, I am prepared to formally dispute this debt with a collection agency if necessary.
  
  2. HIPAA Violations: In your recent email, I noticed that my personal information, including medical records and diagnoses, was attached and sent to me. This is a clear violation of HIPAA regulations. My previous communications have outlined my concerns regarding unauthorized disclosures, and this latest incident exacerbates the issue.
  
  I request the following actions:
  
  - Immediate Resolution of the Invoice: Please waive the outstanding charges given the unresolved billing dispute and inaccuracies associated with my account.
  
  - Cease Further Violations: Ensure that my personal and medical information is handled appropriately and in full compliance with HIPAA regulations. I expect all sensitive information to be securely managed and not disclosed inappropriately.
  
  - Formal Response: Provide a written confirmation that the outstanding charges have been waived and that measures are in place to prevent further HIPAA violations.
  
  Please note that your failure to address these issues promptly has compelled me to escalate the matter to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and pursue further action as necessary. Additionally, your failure to reverse these charges will leave me no choice but to file a formal dispute through my bank for this unauthorized transaction.
  
  Thank you for your immediate attention to these matters.
  
  Sincerely,  
  ****************;

  Business response

  08/19/2024

  Ms *************** came to visit *********** on May 7th and May 14th. Attached are her EOBs from her insurance showing her charges of $253.03 as per her insurance bills. We did not release her medical information as it was mixed up by her insurance. We did call the insurance and let her know about the mix up and got it fixed. She is trying to use that incident as an excuse to not pay for her doctor visits on May 7th and May 14th which is not acceptable as she has to pay for the doctor services.

  She keeps on threatening us and try to settle her bills. We cannot waive any charges as it was for the doctor visit she made to our clinic. We also refute her claims of HIPAA violations as none of her medical information has been released by us. We did try our best effort to communicate this to her and to the insurance involved.

  Customer response

  08/19/2024

  Complaint ID:
  

  Thank you for your message. I would like to clarify a few points regarding the situation:

  1. I did visit **************** office on May 7th and May 14th, 2024.
     
  2. On May 30th, inaccurate medical information that included my name and Social Security number on every sheet was sent to my insurance company. **************** office acknowledged that this was due to a mix-up on their part, where another patient's medical information was mistakenly included. Regardless of the reason, this error originated from **************** office, highlighting a significant lapse in attention to detail and professionalism. This not only constitutes a violation of my HIPAA rightssince my personal information was shared without my permission, consent, or awarenessbut also potentially violates the rights of the other patient involved. I have already uploaded email evidence documenting this issue.
  
  3. When this error came to light, I requested that the remaining balance on my bill be cleared, considering the severe inconvenience caused to me during a medical disability emergency. This error caused significant time and undue stress to correct due to the misinformation provided to my insurance company, including an inaccurate return to work date. I also requested a letter from ************ to my insurance company to rectify the misinformation.
  
  4. Additionally, there was a second incident where my billing information, along with my medical cards, was sent to my personal email in an unsecure manner. This email contained sensitive medical information and diagnoses, which is a further violation of HIPAA guidelines regarding the secure handling of medical records.
  
  5. Given the seriousness of these privacy breaches, I have filed a formal complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), reference complaint number 30654317.
  
  I am rejecting this businesses response because:

  Given the circumstances and the repeated breaches of my privacy, I believe my request for clearing the remaining balance is reasonable. I also expect appropriate corrective measures to be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
  
  Thank you for your attention to this matter.
  
  Sincerely,  
  ***************
  

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