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Post by librarylady on Apr 17, 2021 2:30:51 GMT
I have browsed this site:
My understanding is that the privacy limits etc. apply to health care workers or insurance people telling things that were discovered in their work to people outside the "need to know" for caring for patient.
We have a new minister who wants no information given about someone in the congregation who is ill/hospitalized or ?? Historically in our church, unless someone said, "Don't tell about my health" we shared information so that others could reach out to help with meals, calls, notes of concern etc. The minister wants nothing said except, "xxx is ill" or on rare occasions, "xxx is in hospital."
If I am told xx is ill, the first question is "what and how serious?" If no details are shared, then the person who is ill has to answer all the questions if someone wants to offer help or show concern. I think keeping quiet creates more problem for the person needing help. Also, if I don't know, then I have no idea if a note is enough or a meal is needed.
Is the minister correct on "no information" can be given?
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Post by bc2ca on Apr 17, 2021 2:43:07 GMT
There is a difference between wanting no information to be given out about a member of the church who is ill and saying it can't be given out.
He is setting a standard for the church, not following a legal restriction.
I don't see a problem with his stance. It allows people to be helped who don't want all their personal details discussed. You can ask the minister if a meal is needed.
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Post by freecharlie on Apr 17, 2021 2:44:21 GMT
Typically no, the church is not restricted by Hippa, but if it were an employee or volunteer or something, they could be.
Eta: I do think the person whose health it is should determine if they want it shared
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Post by Zee on Apr 17, 2021 3:06:26 GMT
It's HIPAA and no it doesn't apply to a congregation. He may want that to be the policy, but it's not the law.
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Post by cindyupnorth on Apr 17, 2021 3:15:03 GMT
His mistake is calling it HIPAA. It should be called a parishioner privacy standard or similar wording. It should not be confused with hipaa
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Post by Really Red on Apr 17, 2021 3:19:28 GMT
It's HIPAA and no it doesn't apply to a congregation. He may want that to be the policy, but it's not the law. "HIPAA does not protect all health information. Nor does it apply to every person who may see or use health information. HIPAA only applies to covered entities and their business associates." It might apply to the congregation, but it is unlikely. Still, anyone who wants privacy should have it. |
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Post by Zee on Apr 17, 2021 3:27:43 GMT
It's HIPAA and no it doesn't apply to a congregation. He may want that to be the policy, but it's not the law. "HIPAA does not protect all health information. Nor does it apply to every person who may see or use health information. HIPAA only applies to covered entities and their business associates." It might apply to the congregation, but it is unlikely. Still, anyone who wants privacy should have it. The congregation isn't treating her or privy to her health information as part of their job. A nurse or doctor or insurance claims handler, etc, may be part of her congregation and would not be allowed to reveal information they gained as a part of their jobs, but that's the extent of that. I have to do HIPAA training every year. |
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Post by ntsf on Apr 17, 2021 5:03:01 GMT
I think the minister is sensible to set such a policy.. if someone wants to share they can--it shouldn't be a decision on the minister's part.
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Post by KiwiJo on Apr 17, 2021 6:01:40 GMT
How very refreshing to hear of a minister who maintains confidentiality, and is not willing to be part of everyone and his dog knowing about other people’s health. To my mind, “sharing information” is pretty much on a par with gossiping.
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Apr 17, 2021 7:28:31 GMT
You don't need to know. The minister can say if someone needs help with meals, and surely a note card is always nice?
I think it's great that the minister has put this standard in place, because hopefully it will prevent people angrily banging on your door because they weren't told, or harassing other members of your family, or gossiping loudly so that they can be overheard by the children (this happened to me when my grandad was ill and didn't tell members of his church what was wrong).
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Post by gar on Apr 17, 2021 8:15:32 GMT
If I am told xx is ill, the first question is "what and how serious?" If no details are shared, then the person who is ill has to answer all the questions if someone wants to offer help or show concern. I think keeping quiet creates more problem for the person needing help. Also, if I don't know, then I have no idea if a note is enough or a meal is needed. All of that comes under the 'want' not 'need' to know category and can easily be resolved by talking to the minister surely. The person concerned doesn't have to answer anything...if they require help then the minister will know. If they're not ill enough to need help why does everyone have to know anyway?? Would you like your medical situation broadcast? I know I wouldn't. |
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Post by prettyprettypaper on Apr 17, 2021 8:55:15 GMT
If I am told xx is ill, the first question is "what and how serious?" If no details are shared, then the person who is ill has to answer all the questions if someone wants to offer help or show concern. I think keeping quiet creates more problem for the person needing help. Also, if I don't know, then I have no idea if a note is enough or a meal is needed.
Is the minister correct on "no information" can be given?
It doesn't create a problem for the person needing help if people would just start with respecting that person's privacy. If and when the person wants to share personal medical information in this scenario should be completely up to them. I understand that there is always a genuine concern for a person's well-being. However, you don't need to know details of their illness to be helpful. If your minister is aware that the person is in need of assistance, I would think the minister would have an idea of how much help is needed. If you are in contact with the family or even the person who is ill, something along the lines of "I would love to donate a meal if that will be helpful" can be a good starting point to ascertain how much help they need/welcome. Let their response provide all the info you need. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:52:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2021 9:00:27 GMT
We have a new minister who wants no information given about someone in the congregation who is ill/hospitalized or ?? Historically in our church, unless someone said, "Don't tell about my health" we shared information so that others could reach out to help with meals, calls, notes of concern etc. The minister wants nothing said except, "xxx is ill" or on rare occasions, "xxx is in hospital."
If I am told xx is ill, the first question is "what and how serious?" If no details are shared, then the person who is ill has to answer all the questions if someone wants to offer help or show concern. I think keeping quiet creates more problem for the person needing help. Also, if I don't know, then I have no idea if a note is enough or a meal is needed.
I think the minister is right in what he's saying. I'm guessing it has nothing to do with the HIPAA ( we have similar laws here pertaining to the sensitive medical information of patients) What the minister is really saying is - stop gossiping about what is wrong with people who are ill or in hospital. It's easy enough for anyone that needs to help with meals, visits etc to do so without knowing all the details of why someone is ill or in hospital. It's up to the patient to tell other people and only if they want to. Some people are very private regarding their medical situation. I know I wouldn't want everyone to know all my details if ever I was in the same position. |
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 17, 2021 10:27:19 GMT
As others have said, a church is not bound by HIPAA (one "P" and two "A"s... remember it by thinking "this is NOT like "hippo", lol) -- Anyway, it doesn't apply to churches. However, the minister is respecting boundaries and keeping confidences. It is totally not anyone else's business what someone is ill with or in the hospital for. The minister should ask the person "would you like me to share any information with the congregation? If so, what?" The congregation has no need to know this information, and they can still offer help without knowing. Of course human nature being what it is the rumor mill will be churning while people try to find out what the story is.  But most churches have some sort of ministry team set up to coordinate help for people and if they say "would you like to sign up to bring a meal to Susie Smith?" you can still do that without knowing all the medical details of Susie's illness. |
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,488 
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Post by lindas on Apr 17, 2021 13:11:34 GMT
If I am told xx is ill, the first question is "what and how serious?" If no details are shared, then the person who is ill has to answer all the questions if someone wants to offer help or show concern. I think keeping quiet creates more problem for the person needing help. Also, if I don't know, then I have no idea if a note is enough or a meal is needed.
Is the minister correct on "no information" can be given?
Your first question should be “what can I do to help?” You don’t need to know the person’s medical condition to offer help or concern. It’s up to that person to decide what and how much they wish to share. The minister is absolutely correct. |
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momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,156
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Apr 17, 2021 13:53:08 GMT
I think the minister is sensible to set such a policy.. if someone wants to share they can--it shouldn't be a decision on the minister's part. I also think it's a sensible policy. Not everyone feels the same about having their information shared with others. I think you can still reach out and ask how you can help. I had some health issues a couple years ago. I had 4-5 different procedures trying to solve the issues before having 2 different surgeries that year. I'm very private and told very few people...dh, my kids and two close friends. This sounds bizarre, but i've done health crisis' with my Mom and I hate the way she handles things...and she tells everyone she knows about them too so not even she knows. So I agree with the minister, I think he's right not to put too much out there of people's personal info. |
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Post by myshelly on Apr 17, 2021 14:19:48 GMT
The minister is trying to tell the congregation to stop gossiping! 😆🤣
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Post by jemmls4 on Apr 17, 2021 15:37:21 GMT
HIPAA is complex and from what I remember in my healthcare days probably does not apply.
That being said, as a person that has had serious health issues, I would not be happy AT ALL if a group of people knew I were ill and really anything to do with my issues unless I gave explicit permission for that to be shared.
It is MY decision to let others know, or not let them know, if I want prayers, good thoughts, meals, assistance, etc. For me there would be nothing worse than nosy nellies calling/texting/dropping by to get the scoop on my personal medical issues for their own need to know or gossip.
I think your pastor has the right idea and a policy of some sort should be created. It just isn’t HIPAA.
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But most churches have some sort of ministry team set up to coordinate help for people and if they say "would you like to sign up to bring a meal to Susie Smith?" you can still do that without knowing all the medical details of Susie's illness. 
