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
-
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
- Articles
-
- Don't forget the three checks in medication administration
- Practice the six rights of medication administration
- Note similarities and differences between HCPCS, CPT® codes
- Code diagnoses and outpatient treatment for PTSD
- Q&A: Primary, principal, and secondary diagnoses
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- What to include on the incident report
- Differentiate between types of wound debridement
- Complications from immobility by body system
- Know guidelines and subtle differences in code descriptions for laceration repairs
- E-mailed
-
- Does anyone know where the standard is relating to oxygen cylinder storage?
- Note from the instructor: Billing Outpatient Laboratory Services - TOB 131 vs. TOB 141
- Security checkpoint: Will metal detectors really make a big difference
- Hospitalists experience 'teen angst,' express caution about treating youths
- Free tool: Peer evaluation tool for charge nurse
- Follow these tips to properly report bladder catheter codes
- Does Your Agency Understand How To Respond to an ADR?
- Documentation: Legal risks for nurse managers
- Differentiate between types of wound debridement
- CPT coding for urgent care clinics
- Searched
