American Health Information Management Association Endorsement

This issue of E-alert is sponsored by Practice Management Information Corporation (PMIC).

1. Social Security Administration Unveils New AHIMA-supported Authorization Form
2. Nine New Category III Codes to Be Implemented July 1
3. IHS Requests Comments on Privacy Forms
4. HIPAA Enforcement Interim Final Rule Published
5. Department of Defense Announces HIPAA Privacy Exceptions
6. Vote Now in AHIMA's 2003 National Election
7. CoP/BoK News You Can Use
8. May Journal Spotlight
9. 2003 Triumph Awards Call for Nominations
10. Upcoming Audio Seminars

1. Social Security Administration Unveils New AHIMA-supported Authorization Form

The Social Security Administration (SSA) and its affiliated state agencies (Disability Determination Services) began using a revised authorization form on March 31 to request medical records on behalf of claimants for federal disability benefits. Form SSA-827 (Authorization to Disclose Information to the Social Security Administration) was developed in response to the new HIPAA requirements. It contains all the legally required elements and statements for an authorization, including requirements from other federal laws.

The SSA worked closely with AHIMA and a number of federal agencies to develop SSA-827. AHIMA's Policy and Government Relations team and the AHIMA Professional Practice team helped refine the authorization to ensure its compliance with applicable federal laws and acceptance by AHIMA members. HIM professionals receive multiple requests for protected health information every day and understand the need to evaluate each authorization form as it is received. Knowing HIM professionals would diligently perform their duties was an element that brought the SSA together with AHIMA to develop SSA-827. AHIMA encourages your cooperation with the SSA as it performs its important public service of helping claimants obtain federal disability benefits. For additional information on SSA-827, go to: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/. Look for further information on SSA-827 and our work with the SSA in the AHIMA CoP and upcoming issues of the Journal of AHIMA.