Health Information Compliance Alert
THE PARENT TRAP
Question: Our office needs to obtain an authorization to release medical information about one of our minor patients; however, the child's parents share custody. Do they both need to sign the authorization, or is it HIPAA-compliant to get just one of their signatures? - Wisconsin subscriber Answer: You do not have to obtain both signatures, advises consultant Jason Levine with Joliet, IL's Murer Consultants. "If [the parents] are legally authorized to share custody," then either signature will work, he says. The Bottom Line: Joint custody does not add any legal wrinkles to your authorization process, Levine explains. However, if a parent has sole custody, then only that parent's signature can be used to authorize disclosures, he reminds.
Health Information Compliance Alert
- SECURITY:
DON'T AXE THE SECURITY RULE'S ADDRESSABLE STANDARDS
Instead, whittle them down to fit your needs You can't ignore the security rule's addressable [...] - COMPLIANCE STRATEGIES:
WATCH OUT FOR HIPAA ROADBLOCKS
Pave your way to HIPAA compliance with a security audit You've developed policies and procedures [...] - CONFERENCES:
Conference Calendar Corner
Escape the summer heat with July's exciting event offerings! July 7 (1 PM EST): "OIG [...] - SECURITY COMPLIANCE:
HOW YOU CAN AVOID THE AUDIT CONTROL TRAP
Expert advice to keep your systems running smoothly Have you pinpointed which of your systems [...] - SAMPLE DOCUMENT:
STAY SAFE WITH A SECURITY AUDIT - SECURITY QUIZ:
ARE YOU STUMPED BY THE SECURITY RULE?
7 True/False statements test your security rule smarts How'd you do on last month's quiz? [...] - Reader Question:
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Question: One of our doctors signed an FMLA certification for a patient to request medical [...] - Reader Question:
THE PARENT TRAP
Question: Our office needs to obtain an authorization to release medical information about one of [...] - Reader Question:
A MINOR PROBLEM
Question: A minor patient requested a copy of his medical record. Would giving him access [...] - HEALTH INFORMATION NEWS
THOMPSON TO REVEAL HIT PLAN AT JULY CONFERENCE
Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Tommy [...] - Security Quiz Answers
1. False. The stricter of the two regulations takes precedence. You must consider all types [...]
