Health Information Management

HIPAA Q&A: You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers!

HIM-HIPAA Insider, May 19, 2014

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM-HIPAA Insider!

Submit your HIPAA questions to Editor Jaclyn Fitzgerald at jfitzgerald@hcpro.com and we will work with our experts to provide you with the information you need.

 
Q. My brother claims he read in his dentist’s HIPAA statement that information was disclosed to the CIA and other government agencies. I suspect that his dentist was editorializing, but wanted to check. Could you explain what should be included in a HIPAA statement in physician/dentist offices? Can you direct me to the official statement?
 
A. Healthcare providers and health plans are required to give their patients/subscribers a Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) that explains what PHI the organization collects about individuals and how that information is used. An NPP should include language similar to the following:
 
As required by law, we may disclose health information to the following types of entities, including but not limited to:
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  • Public health or legal authorities charged with preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability
  • Correctional institutions (if you are in custody of the correctional institution or a law enforcement officer)
  • Workers’ compensation agents
  • Organ and tissue donation organizations
  • Military command authorities
  • Health oversight agencies
  • Funeral directors, coroners, and medical examiners
  • National security and intelligence agencies
  • Protective services for the president or others
 
For the actual language, refer to 45 CFR 164.520.
 
Editor’s note: Mary D. Brandt, MBA, RHIA, CHE, CHPS, vice president of health information at Baylor Scott & White Health in Temple, Texas, answered this question for HCPro’sBriefings on HIPAA newsletter.

 

 



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM-HIPAA Insider!

    Briefings on APCs

  • 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