Health Information Management

AHA report: State laws, not HIPAA, are obstacles to information exchange

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, May 15, 2006

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HIPAA provides "parameters but not roadblocks" to health information exchange (HIE) projects, according to a new document from the American Hospital Association (AHA). Because most HIE projects seek to use patient information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, there are no HIPAA concerns, the report explains.

However, "Health Information Exchange Projects: What hospitals and health systems need to know," warns that state privacy laws which are more stringent than and preempt HIPAA may create a "patchwork of [patient] consent requirements that can vary widely among neighboring states."

The paper recommends that HIE collaborations work to build public trust and establish clear policies regarding consent, access, and other use and disclosure issues.

Click here to read the document.



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