HIPAA Q&A: You've got questions. We've got answers!
HIM-HIPAA Insider, October 12, 2015
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM-HIPAA Insider!
Q: I have a question about a scenario that occurred in the medical office where I am employed. A patient's employer called to make an appointment for one of our patients. We listened to the caller but did not disclose any information about the patient. The employer said he was taking the patient to the emergency department (ED). Our policy is to follow up with any patient who visits the ED.
Is it a HIPAA violation to let the employer know this is our policy? Would it be a violation to allow the employer to make the follow-up visit and then let the patient know about the appointment? I understand this may not be the best practice, but I'm not sure if we are violating HIPAA in any way.
A: Informing the employer of your policy regarding follow-up with patients is not a HIPAA violation. You are not disclosing any PHI about the patient. There is no violation of HIPAA if you schedule a follow-up appointment through the employer as long as you do not communicate any information about the patient's condition to the employer. It's not the best method of following up with the patient, but it's not a violation. If you do permit the employer to schedule the follow-up appointment, it's a good idea to also reach out to the patient and let him or her know the appointment has been scheduled.
Editor’s note: Chris Apgar, CISSP, president of Apgar & Associates, LLC, in Portland, Oregon, answered this question for HCPro’s Briefings on HIPAA newsletter. This information does not constitute legal advice. Consult legal counsel for answers to specific privacy and security questions.
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM-HIPAA Insider!
Related Products
-
Briefings on APCs
Worried about the complexities of the new rules under OPPS and APCs? Briefings on APCs helps you understand the new rules...
-
HIM Briefings
Guiding Health Information Management professionals through the continuously changing field of medical records and toward a...
-
Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies
Submitting improper Medicare documentation can lead to denial of fees, payback, fines, and increased diligence from payers...
-
Briefings on HIPAA
How can you minimize the impact of HIPAA? Subscribe to Briefings on HIPAA, your health information management resource for...
-
APCs Insider
This HTML-based e-mail newsletter provides weekly tips and advice on the new ambulatory payment classifications regulations...
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- NFPA 3000: The newest active shooter standard
- Note similarities and differences between HCPCS, CPT® codes
- Differentiate between types of wound debridement
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- Know guidelines and subtle differences in code descriptions for laceration repairs
- Don’t forget the three checks in medication administration
- Reimbursement for Facility and Professional Services in a Provider-Based Department by Gina M. Reese, Esq., RN
- What is the difference between an IPA and a medical group?
- Practice the six rights of medication administration
- Clearing up the confusion: CPT codes 76376 and 76377
- E-mailed
-
- How to audit credentialing and privileging practices
- NFPA 3000: The newest active shooter standard
- Bill and charge for supplies correctly to reduce risk and minimize lost revenue
- Report revenue code based on setting
- Joint Commission and CMS Alignment: Restraint Management
- Q/A: Extended recovery time
- Q/A: Critical care coding
- Q/A: CPT code 97760 and L-codes
- Peeling away the confusion: Split billing guidance
- Follow these nine tips to capture inpatient wound care correctly
- Searched