1. HIPAA LAWS

2.  Under the privacy rule, the patient must give consent to use his or her Protected Health Information.  Examples in which consent must be obtained are:  Treatment purposes where Drs. & nurses share patients chart.  When a Dr. discusses the patient and their condition with a colleague or specialist To Protect Patients Privacy the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed in 1996.

3.  Examples in which consent must be obtained are:  When sharing patient information to obtain payment  When information is to be given to someone other than the office staff for purposes other than treatment, payment, or office operations.  Employee Physicals, Immunization Records, Athletic Physicals, and Medication Reaction Information. To Protect Patients Privacy the Health Insurance Portability and Accountabilit y Act (HIPAA) was passed in 1996.

5.  Under the HIPAA law, health care providers are required to:  • Provide patients with access to their medical records upon request.  • Describe how the medical records will be kept confidential.  • Receive annual training in the areas of privacy, coding, technology, and security of records.  • Provide a written document that describes who can see their health information with and without their permission.  • Obtain a signed form from the patient granting permission if certain confidential information  information needs to be shared.

6. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Refers to a patients medical record in digital format. The Use of Intranets, which are private, secure means of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), have evolved into pharmacy, hospital and eventually, national medical databases. EMR systems reduce medical errors associated with hand written documents and increase physician efficiency.

7. Health Information Technologist spend a great deal of time making sure they meet the guidelines of the HIPAA law. Some serious concerns have been voiced regarding the expense required to meet these guidelines however, it’s important to keep medical information private. Eventually the cost will be passed on to the patient in one form or another. Some serious concerns have been voiced regarding the expense required to meet these guidelines however, it’s important to keep medical information private. Eventually the cost will be passed on to the patient in one form or another.

8.  Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)  This Act has established strict standards for maintaining confidentiality of patients healthcare records.  Under this law patients have total control regarding how information in their medical records is used.  The patient decides who can access their information

9. Turn to your partner and discuss the issue of confidentiality and enforcing the HIPAA laws. What experiences have you and your family members had with HIPPA? Do you think the cost to provide the extra documents and extra administrative details is money well spent?