Auto Insurance Claims: Insurance Company Hiding behind HIPPA, state insurance department, auto insurances

Question
I am a collections rep for a facility in south Florida, and we have several patient's that come in due to auto accidents. I have a question concerning a specific insurance company that states that they can not give us any claims status information if we do not send them a letter requesting claims status first due to HIPPA law. Now I no that this is a stall tactic because as per HIPPA guidelines we are allowed to ask for our billing information from the insurance and this is not a HIPPA violation. I've been searching all over the Internet trying to find a site or a number to call to get information regarding what seems to be a total disregard of the Hippa law and PIP law as well. Since you are on the other side of the coin is this something that is regular practice for auto insurances, to stall payment?

Answer
Stalling payment intentionally is an unfair claim practice, so no, we do not do this.  If I understand correctly, you are simply asking if they have issued payment.  I don't see why they couldn't tell you that.  If they are asking for some private information, that would be different.  If you believe this is stalling, I'd suggest complaining to the state insurance department.