Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Facebook Photos Lead To Cancellation of Quebec Woman's Insurance

Posted by timothy on from the public-option dept.

No. 24601 writes "A Quebec woman on long-term sick leave, due to a diagnosis of depression, lost her health benefits after her insurance provider found photos of her on Facebook smiling and looking cheerful at parties and out on the beach. Besides all the obvious questions, how did the insurance company access her locked Facebook profile?"

6 of 645 comments (clear)

  1. Her lawyer should pursue this. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    *sigh* Well, speaking as a depressive I can say that a good part of the treatment that a psychiatrist suggests to their patients, besides their antidepressants, is to engage in social activities outside the home. They also say that staying cooped up at home and failing to get out can lead to a relapse and readmission to hospital. The Insurance company is not licensed to practice medicine, only to read a doctor's diagnosis and pay what's due.

    1. Re:Her lawyer should pursue this. by Tim+C · · Score: 5, Informative

      Not to mention that a very close friend of mine has serious depression (she's not so bad at the moment, but has been hospitalised for her own safety before), and she can sound absolutely fine on the phone in the morning, and be totally withdrawn and uncommunicative in the afternoon. She can also be on a serious downer, yet sound fine on the phone to other people - in other words, put a brave face on things.

      --
      It's official. Most of you are morons.
  2. Re:Well yes... by odourpreventer · · Score: 5, Informative

    > why people say the U.S. has the best healthcare in the world

    Then why is USA ranked 37th in the world, whereas UK is ranked 18th?

    --
    Adventure, Romance, MAD SCIENCE!
  3. Re:Then you can work, thief! by m.ducharme · · Score: 5, Informative

    This particular story is out of Canada, different health-care system, different incentives.

    --
    Rule of Slashdot #0: You and people like you are not representative of the larger population. - A.C.
  4. Re:Is she really sure it was locked? by ubrgeek · · Score: 5, Informative

    As much as I think "there, fixed it for you" comments are moronic this time I had to: "Depression is usually a treatable illness." I have an aunt who has been suffering with post-partum depression for more than 15 years. She's gone through treatment. She's tried dozens of medications. She goes through the highs and lows that I guess are not uncommon with depression, but the highs rarely last. Thus far, treatment hasn't been able to do anything.

    --
    Bark less. Wag more.
  5. Re:Is she really sure it was locked? by saleenS281 · · Score: 5, Informative

    You're correct, ALL employees do not have this access. Given you worked there for "a while", I highly doubt you would've fallen into the category of those who do have that access. I can assure you that Facebook has the ability to give the proper authority any and all access to anyone's account hey so choose.

    The receptionist at a bank doesn't have access to everyone's accounts. The teller does. I'm not sure why you would be surprised that access is granted on a need-to-have-it basis at facebook, just like most every other successful business in the US.