Protect Your Rights and Fight Back!!  

Recently I received a call from a member regarding the care that they received from their company's medical department. The member was upset at the way that they were treated and thought that they were being harassed among other things.  Unfortunately when you are dealing with medical problems it is usually a doctor patient issue and the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) handcuffs the Local's ability to investigate these grievances.  However you do have an avenue that I strongly suggest you to pursue.  As a "consumer" you have rights to file a complaint against a doctor, physicians assistant or even a nurse.  Most times these professionals handle themselves with dignity and respect for their patients, however there are times that particular health care professionals, with an agenda, cross the line. If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by a Doctor you should file a complaint at the Board of Registration in Medicine or at the following web site.  http://www.massmedboard.org/consumer/complaint.shtm  If your complaint is against a physician assistant and/or nurse then you need to file at the Division of Health Professions Licensure or you can access this information at the following web site http://www.mass.gov/dph/boards/