Submitted by Amitiel on 11/29/2015.
My husband dropped another bomb on me (by now I should be used to it). I wanted to discuss going to an ADHD specialist or a psychiatrist who can help us with his ADHD (I don't think he has ADHD). He straight up told me that I am prohibited to discuss anything about his medications and medical history or anything related with anyone, even his doctor as he has removed me as his contact and it would be a HIPAA violation and I will end up in prison. Can I really not even discuss what his medication abuse is doing to us and all the side effects? Feels like I have tried everything and he chooses to put his meds above everything else - family, son, wife. I feel really hopeless and see no way out of this.
It is my understanding that
Submitted by PoisonIvy on
It is my understanding that HIPAA restricts health-care providers, not patients' families and friends. That is, you can give information to the doctor but the doctor can't share information with you. And prison? No way.
lol
Submitted by overwhelmedwife on
there is no HIPAA law that applies to what you can say/do. Those laws are for healthcare professionals. You are free to contact any of his providers and SAY whatever you want. THEY cannot tell YOU stuff, but YOU can tell them stuff.
I went thru a similar thing with H. H removed me as a contact because he didn't want his rehab professionals telling me anything. However, I would tell THEM about his suicide threats, his Rx abuse, etc. H didn't want me telling them that he was STILL drinking AND getting Rx's from friends.
When spouses do this it's often because they want to be able to LIE to their healthcare providers and don't want their spouses telling the truth.
Prison? lol. No way. You still have freedom of speech.
This is very typical. My H would make all kinds of crazy claims that just weren't true. He may have WANTED them to be true, but they weren't true.
However, don't argue with your H about this. If there is something that you need a healthcare provider to know, you're free to do so. But, be aware that your H may retaliate in some way...destroy something of yours, become physical, etc.
Genuinely feel bad enough
Submitted by Amitiel on
Thanks for the responses. It puts my mind at rest a bit. I am really looking for support and finding out if I am doing anything that put me in a situation where I have to deal with more than I have on my plate already. I am not from the USA. I am an immigrant (legal) and sometimes I genuinely don't understand how things work here. I have over time learnt that regardless of my status - citizen or legal resident, both parents have equal rights, my husband cannot have me thrown out and take our son away to take his anger out on me. I also understand that I may never visit my country again because I will not leave my child here alone with my husband and he will never allow his son going out of country with me. I have not seen my family for 4 years and have no support system to speak of here. I may ask questions at times that seem obvious but at times its more of putting my own doubts at rest than having to learn the hard way. I know what my decision would have been if my husband really were diagnosed with ADHD and agreed to get help. My situation is different in that I don't believe he has ADHD but addiction to medication for ADHD and there is nothing I can do about that except try and remove us from this situation.
Many people are unsure about
Submitted by PoisonIvy on
Many people are unsure about medical privacy laws. I'm glad you asked!
It is wise for you to be concerned about your husband's possible addiction. Even if he does have ADHD, he could become addicted to the medications.