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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Putting Lid on Sensitive Medical Information in Commonwealth

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Thursday, March 3, 2016   

BOSTON – The State Senate will consider a fix today to prevent insurance bills from leaking confidential patient information that can be of special concern to teens and victims of domestic violence.

They are called explanation of benefit forms, or EOBs for short, and they detail the costs of specific medical procedures.

Alyssa Vangeli, senior health policy manager at the advocacy group Health Care For All (HCFA), says the problem is when these EOBs are mailed to primary beneficiaries they can end up disclosing sensitive medical information that dependent family members have a right to keep confidential.

"Young adults and minors are particularly likely not to seek care for sensitive health care services when they are worried their parents will find out,” she explains. “Breaching confidentially can also worsen violence or abuse, particularly for patients with an abusive partner or family member."

One way the measure would prevent disclosure of confidential information is by requiring insurers to send member-level EOBs to each individual insured dependent, rather than to the primary subscriber.

Vangeli says the insurance industry currently supports the measure and has been involved by helping to craft corrective measures into the legislation.

"The bill would have insurers allow patients to choose their preferred method of receiving EOBs, including at an alternate mailing address or through electronic means,” she states. “EOBs would only provide generic information for sensitive services such as office visit or medical care, rather than more explicit descriptions that could be used against patients."

Dozens of providers, advocacy groups and community-based organizations formed the Patch Alliance in support of the measure. That stands for Protecting Access To Confidential Health.

The measure is sponsored by Sen. Karen Spilka and Rep. Kate Hogan.






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