Health Information Compliance Alert
Reporting For Duty
Question: Our physician reported to a government agency that her patient's use of pain medication should not deter him from operating vehicles. However, she has since learned that the patient is doctor shopping. Will she violate HIPAA if she reports her discovery to the agency? Answer: Your first step is to find out if "there is a state statute that mandates the reporting," says David Ermer, an attorney with Gordon & Barnett in Washington, DC. The Bottom Line: "You're much better off if there's a state-mandated rule," but this type of disclosure is allowable because the patient and those around him could be in danger, Ermer explains. After you've reviewed state law, use the HIPAA regulation as "the basis for making the disclosure," he suggests. Don't forget: This disclosure must be accounted for, he reminds.
Health Information Compliance Alert
- Security:
Use 5 Tips To Ensure Your HIMS System Makes The Security Rule Grade
Your management system is crucial for security rule compliance. Can your health information management system [...] - Security Compliance:
Is Your Complaint Process Making You An Enforcement Target?
5 tips to keep the bull's-eye off your back. The bad news: You're going to [...] - Security:
Don't Let Disaster Recovery Wipe You Out
Expert guidance for a quick, cost-effective recovery plan. You've written HIPAA privacy and security rule [...] - Security Strategies:
4 Tips To Buttress Your Backup Process
Strengthen your plan before you get backed into a regulatory corner. Worried that your backup [...] - Security Compliance:
Evade The Encrypted PHI Trap
Naiveté won’t negate a security rule violation! You’ve encrypted your patients’ PHI. So, now what? [...] - Industry News:
Can Doctor's Notes Open a Pandora's Box? The Slippery Side of HIPAA
Giving patients free access to medical records is fraught with concerns, say doctors. Should medical [...] - Reader Questions:
Reporting For Duty
Question: Our physician reported to a government agency that her patient's use of pain medication [...] - Reader Questions:
A News-Worthy Notice
Question: We have revised our notice of privacy practices (NPP). Do our patients need to [...] - Reader Questions:
Just The Fax, Please
Question: Our office recently switched to receiving faxes electronically. What is the best way to [...]
