In the Spotlight
2012 Health Information Privacy & Security Training
The TMA Privacy and Civil Liberties Office Health Information Privacy & Security Training will be held on September 19th and 20th at
Spates Community Club & Conference Center, 214 McNair Road, Building 407, Ft. Myer, VA 22211.
The 2012 Health Information Privacy & Security Training will provide the MHS and TMA workforce with information needed to protect personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information
(PHI).
The Social Security Administration Now Allows Electronic Signatures
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has given approval for adult claimants of Social Security disability to electronically sign and submit Form SSA-227 beginning April 21, 2012. Prior to this date, the online application process required claimants to print, sign, and mail Form SSA-827 to SSA. By allowing electronic signatures, claimants can complete their online disability applications in one streamlined session, which makes the process easier and less stressful.
Memorandum from the Assistant Secretary of Defense/Health Affairs (ASD/HA): Reliance on an Electronic Signature on Form SSA-827 when Disclosing Protected Health Information to the Social Security Administration
New Military Command Exception Section on TMA Privacy Office Web Site
One of the most important provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule for the Department of
Defense (DoD) is the "military command exception." In very limited circumstances, such as fitness for duty determinations, this exception permits Military Health System (MHS) providers and the
TRICARE health plan to disclose the protected health information of active duty service members without their authorization to appropriate military command authorities. The TMA Privacy and Civil
Liberties Office has established a separate Web page, http://www.tricare.mil/tma/privacy/Military-Command-Exception.aspx,
covering the military command exception, because of its importance for the DoD.
