Can we confirm an appointment with a transportation service without the patient's written consent?
Compliance Monitor, February 27, 2004
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I would recommend that you have the transportation company contact the patient for that information without confirming or denying that the person is a patient.
HIPAA requires reasonable efforts to protect a patient's privacy. That means you have to take reasonable precautions when anyone asks you for PHI, including the information that the person is a patient.
Most practices have forms for their patients to sign that allow the practice to leave voice mail messages, messages with family members, etc. If you have patients who regularly use transportation services, you may want to include what information you may release to the company on this form as well.
This question was answered by Susan Welsh, CPC, Director of Coding and Education, Physician Services, Ethics and Compliance at HCA, Nashville, TN.
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