Patients still confused about privacy rights under HIPAA
HIPAA Weekly Advisor, November 15, 2004
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!
Many patients still don't understand their rights under the HIPAA privacy regulations despite government efforts to streamline the information and increase public awareness, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
Many of the misconceptions relate to the use and protection of health information. For instance, some believe that spouses have automatic rights to access partners' medical information. They don't unless given specific authorization.
In addition, some patients have unrealistic expectations about the extent of their privacy. "Some feel like only having a curtain between patients is a violation of their privacy," Linda Mullins, ethics and compliance officer for Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, told the Sun.
As a whole, the general public is still confused about the implications of HIPAA privacy, Nancy Leville, director of health information management at Valley Hospital, told the paper. But, the complex nature of the regulations may not necessarily be bad, she said. "I would be more concerned as a consumer if it's easy to get my records. If you feel like you're jumping through hoops, maybe that's good."
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!
Related Products
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- HIPAA Q&A: Flu shot requirement for hospital employees
- Running an effective peer review committee meeting
- HealthDataInsights posts new issues for medical necessity claims
- Sneak Peek: Effort underway to establish caseload benchmarks
- Q/A: Coding for telescopic intraocular lens
- New FAQ posted on storing laryngoscope blades
- Tip: Perform your own internal investigation prior to government audit
- HIPAA 5010 deadline extended, but threat remains, says AMA
- HHS task force: Consider privacy, security with text messages
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- E-mailed
-
- Running an effective peer review committee meeting
- HIPAA Q&A: Flu shot requirement for hospital employees
- HHS task force: Consider privacy, security with text messages
- What does case-mix index mean to you?
- Q/A: Coding for telescopic intraocular lens
- Q/A: Correct use of modifier -PT
- Tip: Correctly code bilateral pain management procedures
- "Wall fountains" may be spreading Legionnaires to patients, visitors
- 2012 CPT code changes for ASCs: Shoulder and knee scopes and pain management
- COT basics to best
- Searched