Providers and Other Covered Entities -Faq

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• Is the HIPAA Privacy Rule suspended during a national or public health emergency?

Business Associates FAQs

• When may a covered health care provider disclose protected health information, without an authorization or business associate agreement, to a medical device company representative?
• Must a covered health care provider obtain an individual’s authorization to use or disclose protected health information to an interpreter?
• Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule require a business associate to provide individuals with access to their protected health information or an accounting of disclosures, or an opportunity to amend protected health information?
• When is a health care provider a business associate of another health care provider?

Covered Entities FAQs

• As an employer, I sponsor a group health plan for my employees. Am I a covered entity under HIPAA?
• Are State, county or local health departments required to comply with the HIPAA Privacy Rule?
• Are the following types of insurance covered under HIPAA: long/short term disability; workers' compensation; automobile liability that includes coverage for medical payments?
• I’m an employer that offers a fully insured group health plan for my employees. Is the fully insured group health plan subject to all of the Privacy Rule provisions?

Smaller Providers & Small Businesses FAQs

• Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit a doctor, laboratory, or other health care provider to share patient health information for treatment purposes by fax, e-mail, or over the phone?
• May physicians offices use patient sign-in sheets or call out the names of their patients in their waiting rooms?
• May physician's offices or pharmacists leave messages for patients at their homes, either on an answering machine or with a family member, to remind them of appointments or to inform them that a prescription is ready? May providers continue to mail appointment or prescription refill reminders to patients' homes?
• Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule's public health provision permit covered health care providers to disclose protected health information concerning the findings of pre-employment physicals, drug tests, or fitness-for-duty examinations to an individuals employer?

Treatment, Payment & Health Care Operations FAQs

• Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit doctors, nurses, and other health care providers to share patient health information for treatment purposes without the patient’s authorization?
• Does a physician need a patient's written authorization to send a copy of the patient's medical record to a specialist or other health care provider who will treat the patient?
• Are health care providers restricted from consulting with other providers about a patient’s condition without the patient’s written authorization?
• May a health care provider disclose protected health information to a health plan for the plan's Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS)?

>> More Treatment, Payment, & Health Care Operations FAQs

Last Updated: 07/22/2008