HIPAA Q&A: You've got questions. We've got answers!
HIM-HIPAA Insider, October 26, 2015
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM-HIPAA Insider!
Submit your HIPAA questions to Associate Editor Nicole Votta at nvotta@hcpro.com and we will work with our experts to provide you with the information you need.
Q: I received a request of information for a deceased patient's record. The patient passed away almost 80 years ago. How do I handle this?
A: The HIPAA omnibus rule clarifies that a patient's privacy must be protected for 50 years after death. So, there is no expectation that a record this old would be protected under HIPAA. However, I would be curious as to who was requesting it and why. Also, many organizations destroy records once their state's retention rules permit. Consider looking at your retention policies to avoid these kinds of time-consuming requests.
Editor's note: Chris Simons, MS, RHIA, answered this question for HCPro’s Medical Records Briefings 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
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- Math can be tricky: TJC corrects ABHR storage requirement
- Air control equals infection control
- Don't forget the three checks in medication administration
- Residency coordinators’ responsibilities
- Study: Shorter shifts reduces residents’ attentional failures
- Note similarities and differences between HCPCS, CPT® codes
- RPA Subscriber Exclusive: February issue of Residency Program Alert now available
- The consequences of an incomplete medical record
- OSHA HazCom updates include labeling, SDS requirements
- Practice the six rights of medication administration
- E-mailed
-
- Air control equals infection control
- OSHA HazCom updates include labeling, SDS requirements
- Tip: Note new thyroid imaging codes
- Tim Porter-O'Grady sounds off
- Skills of effective case managers
- Q: Can you clarify the reporting of dates on the plan of care for diagnosis onset and exacerbation?
- Q&A: Defining Subacute
- Q&A: Are colleges sending students to our facility for rotations business associates?
- Note similarities and differences between HCPCS, CPT® codes
- Fracture coding in ICD-10-CM requires greater specificity
- Searched