Minnesota accuses debt collector of breaking patient privacy laws
State Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a civil lawsuit Thursday against a Chicago firm that she claims failed to protect the medical privacy of thousands of Minnesota patients.
Filed in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, the lawsuit focuses on the theft last year of a laptop computer that an employee of Accretive Health Inc. left in a locked car in Minneapolis on July 25.
The incident potentially jeopardized 23,000 patient records from the Fairview and North Memorial health systems, where Accretive Health had been hired to provide certain business services. Swanson argues that Accretive Health violated state and federal laws on medical record privacy by failing to better protect the data.
As part of the lawsuit, Swanson also questions why Accretive Health had access to so much sensitive information, including whether patients had HIV, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Swanson said the company is licensed in Minnesota as a debt collector.
"(These are) things that should be between a patient and their doctor, not a patient and their debt collector," Swanson said during a news conference Thursday. "It's troubling that a debt collector or any outside third party vendor would have this type of sensitive, personal, patient-identifiable information in its computers."
Swanson acknowledged that Accretive Health had access to sensitive patient data only because the information was provided by Fairview and North Memorial. When asked whether the hospitals also might be subject to litigation, Swanson only said that her office would be "following up" with the medical centers.
"Today, the first step in the litigation is the suit we filed against Accretive," Swanson said.
Francesca Luthi, a spokeswoman for Accretive Health, said her company would work with the attorney general to resolve the matter.
"There is still no evidence that any patient data has been improperly accessed," Luthi said in a statement.
Minnesota Collector Car Insurance Statues - News
Filed in the US District Court of Minnesota, the lawsuit focuses on the theft last year of a laptop computer that an employee of Accretive Health Inc. left in a locked car in Minneapolis on July 25. The incident potentially jeopardized 23000 patient
On January 19, 2012, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson announced a lawsuit against Accretive Health, Inc., (“Accretive”) for violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) and its implementing regulations,
Antique Automobile Insurance Laws and ... - Antique Car Insurance
Antique Automobile Insurance Laws and Regulations in Texas
Antique-automobile liability can be obtained through standard car insurance service providers for example Allstate, Chubb, Fireman’s Fund, Geico, Liberty Mutual, Condition Farm and Vacationers. Niche insurance companies provide personalized insurance policy to antique vehicle proprietors. An old-fashioned-automobile’s liability in Texas can’t exceed minimum limits. Compare premium costs for liability of $100,000 per person, per accident or $300,000 per accident. These levels represent minimum liability needed in Texas.
Information You Need
Many standard and niche insurance companies offer antique-vehicle enthusiasts online quotes. Proprietors must supply the car’s value, location, the way the vehicle is saved, be it stock or modified, the number of miles added each year, and whether another insurance provider provides collector-vehicle insurance. The easiest method to determine value is really a recent bill of purchase. When the vehicle comes, get the estimate of alternative value from the licensed antique-vehicle evaluator. Most states classify cars aged two-and-a-half decades or older as antiques.
Standard Insurance provider Liability
You buy an authentic 1908 Ford Model T for $40,000 this year. Thinking about the vehicle’s original price of $850, the automobile has appreciated substantially over time.
Your everyday-use vehicle is insured with a national insurance provider. The minimum coverage limits for the antique vehicle vary from individuals for the other vehicle. Texas requires only 25,000 for bodily injuries of 1 person, 50,000 for body injuries per accident, and 25,000 in damage to property liability for the daily-use vehicle.
Standard Insurance Provider Coverage Costs
A policy for the daily-use vehicle costs only $500 each year. You are surprised to obtain a quote in excess of three occasions this amount for the new antique vehicle. You’ve informed the agent the antique vehicle is going to be located inside a climate-controlled storage space, which a maximum of 1,000 miles will be included to the vehicle each year.