HIPAA Times news | Concise, reliable news and insights on HIPAA compliance and regulations

2 min read

Preventing unauthorized access

Tshedimoso Makhene: Dec 31, 2024 12:53:12 PM

Preventing unauthorized access involves implementing security measures to protect systems, data, and physical assets.

Cybersecurity

1 min read

Can you sell PHI?

Tshedimoso Makhene: Dec 30, 2024 4:31:22 PM

Selling protected health information (PHI) is a sensitive topic that has legal, ethical, and practical concerns. Under the Health Insurance...

HIPAA Compliance

Image of unidentified individuals for blog about For unidentified individuals, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guarantees the protection of their privacy even as healthcare providers and law enforcement collaborate to determine their identity. By limiting disclosures to the minimum necessary and requiring proper documentation, HIPAA upholds its mission of safeguarding personal health information, even in complex situations. Unidentified individuals in healthcare settings When healthcare providers encounter unidentified individuals, such as unconscious patients or those unable to confirm their identity, HIPAA still applies to any PHI collected during their care. Providers must handle this information with the same level of confidentiality as they would for identified patients. See also: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide HIPAA and unidentified individuals in legal contexts Providers may encounter situations where law enforcement seeks information about unidentified individuals. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services outlines strict conditions under which this information may be shared: Court order, warrant, subpoena, or administrative process: a Provider may disclose information in response to a court order, warrant, subpoena or other administrative process if certain conditions are satisfied. (45 CFR § 164.512(f)(1)(ii)); Identify person: if law enforcement requests information to help identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, material witness or missing person, a Provider may disclose the following limited information: (a) name and address, (b) date and place of birth, (c) social security number, (d) ABO blood type and rh factor, (e) type of injury, (f) date and time of treatment, (g) date and time of death, and (h) a description of distinguishing physical characteristics. Other information related to the individual's DNA, dental records, body fluid or tissue typing, samples, or analysis cannot be disclosed under this provision, but may be disclosed in response to a court order, warrant, or written administrative request. (45 CFR § 164.512(f)(2)). The disclosure must be in response to a request from law enforcement, which may include a response to a

2 min read

How HIPAA protects privacy while addressing unidentified individuals

Tshedimoso Makhene: Dec 30, 2024 11:24:43 AM

For unidentified individuals, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guarantees the protection of their privacy even as...

Editorial

2 min read

What is a release of information (ROI) form?

Tshedimoso Makhene: Dec 30, 2024 10:53:02 AM

A Release of Information (ROI) form is a legal document used to obtain a person's consent to disclose their personal information, typically in...

HIPAA Compliance

Image of nurse and patient for blog about HHS OIG issues compliance guidance to enhance standards in nursing facilities

2 min read

HHS OIG issues guidance to enhance standards in nursing facilities

Tshedimoso Makhene: Dec 30, 2024 10:44:30 AM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released the Nursing Facility Industry Segment-Specific...

Regulatory updates

Image of person at a computer for blog about Data breach at Center for Vein Restoration puts 500,000 Americans at risk

2 min read

Data breach at Center for Vein Restoration impacts 500k

Tshedimoso Makhene: Dec 28, 2024 10:33:40 AM

A data breach at the Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) has exposed the personal and medical information of 445,000 individuals.

HIPAA breaches & fines

2 min read

What is a Medical Savings Account (MSA)?

Tshedimoso Makhene: Dec 28, 2024 8:37:07 AM

A Medical Savings Account (MSA) is a type of financial account designed to help individuals save money for healthcare expenses.

Editorial

2 min read

What are de-identification forms?

Tshedimoso Makhene: Dec 27, 2024 9:02:31 AM

De-identification forms are documents or templates used to ensure that sensitive information, particularly personally identifiable information (PII)...

Cybersecurity