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What is the privacy rule and what steps can dental offices take toward compliance?

The rule’s underlying objective is to protect patient privacy and ensure health information is not misused. While most dental offices have some type of privacy policy in place, this federal rule is designed to be both uniform and comprehensive. It standardizes policies on patient privacy, addresses business associate contracts, clarifies appropriate oral communications and informs… Continue Reading What is the privacy rule and what steps can dental offices take toward compliance?

Are there areas of patient privacy where state laws are stricter than the federal HIPAA privacy rule?

There are certain Wisconsin patient privacy laws that are stricter than sections of the federal privacy laws. Areas where Wisconsin privacy law is more stringent than HIPAA pertain to consent: Wisconsin allows disclosure of PHI without written consent of the patient for reasons that fall within the scope of treatment, payment or health care operations… Continue Reading Are there areas of patient privacy where state laws are stricter than the federal HIPAA privacy rule?

What is the security rule and what steps can dental offices take toward compliance?

The purpose of the HIPAA Security Rule is to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of electronically submitted protected health information whereas the HIPAA Privacy Rule applies to all patient information whether oral, written or electronic Covered entities (those who submit protected health information electronically) were to comply with Security Rule requirements by April 21,… Continue Reading What is the security rule and what steps can dental offices take toward compliance?

What needs to be done with regards to the HIPAA/HITECH Breach Notification Rule?

In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act put forth rules pertaining to breaches in security to your patients’ protected health information. In 2013 HHS strengthened this act by clarifying when to report breaches and also increased monetary penalties based on negligence of the breach. If a patient’s PHI is acquired, accessed, used or disclosed… Continue Reading What needs to be done with regards to the HIPAA/HITECH Breach Notification Rule?

An unhappy patient has made threats to both the dentist and staff. The staff feel their safety is compromised and fear his/her return to the office. Is it a HIPAA violation to report this patient’s threatening behavior to law enforcement authorities?

In general, HIPAA Privacy does not prohibit a covered health care provider from sharing protected health information in order to report a crime which transpired on the provider’s own premises. The rule permits covered entities to disclose protected health information to law enforcement officials, without written authorization from the patient for specific circumstances. Disclosures should… Continue Reading An unhappy patient has made threats to both the dentist and staff. The staff feel their safety is compromised and fear his/her return to the office. Is it a HIPAA violation to report this patient’s threatening behavior to law enforcement authorities?