HIPAA Q&A: You’ve got questions. We’ve got answers!
HIM-HIPAA Insider, June 30, 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: I work for an ophthalmology practice that sees many patients from skilled nursing facilities (SNF). The SNFs often send my organization information sheets about the patients that include logistical information along with medications and clinical diagnoses. The SNF requests that the ophthalmologist complete and return paperwork that summarizes the patient's visit. Is copying the patient's visit summary for that day and returning it to the SNF in a sealed envelope acceptable, or does this violate the minimum necessary requirement?
A: This is acceptable. The information is for continuing care. Thus, it falls under HIPAA permissible disclosures for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. A copy of the office note should meet the minimum necessary standard for information that should be returned to the nursing home.
Editor’s note: Chris Simons, MS, RHIA, director of HIM and privacy officer at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Keene, New Hampshire, answered this question for HCPro’s Medical Records Briefing newsletter.
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
- Note similarities and differences between HCPCS, CPT® codes
- Five ways to safeguard your patients' valuables
- The consequences of an incomplete medical record
- Q&A: Primary, principal, and secondary diagnoses
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- Skills of effective case managers
- Practice the six rights of medication administration
- E-mailed
-
- Air control equals infection control
- OSHA HazCom updates include labeling, SDS requirements
- Plan of Care Supports Documentation of Homebound Status
- Note similarities and differences between HCPCS, CPT® codes
- Note from the instructor: CMS clarifies billing guidelines on proper billing for drugs in a single-dose or single-use vial, including billing for discarded drugs
- Neurological checks for head injuries
- Modifiers and medical necessity
- Follow these tips to properly report bladder catheter codes
- Five ways to safeguard your patients' valuables
- Differentiate between types of wound debridement
- Searched