April 2002 • Volume 8 • Number
4 |
Pointers from HIPAA Privacy Manual
The Academy's HIPAA Privacy Manual
(see story, "Here's help on following patient privacy
regulations") is packed with suggestions and comments, including these:
- HIPAA limits the use and disclosure of the patient's protected
health information to the "minimum necessary." Staff members in smaller
practices may all need access to patients' charts. In larger practices, the
receptionist may not need such access. "The 'minimum necessary' requirement is
not meant to keep the practice from performing its daily clinical functions,"
says the manual.
- HIPAA defers to state laws regarding the disclosure of a minor's
health information to a parent. The manual advises practices to pay particular
attention to laws concerning mental health, substance abuse, birth control and
STDs.
- One signed consent form from each patient will cover all uses and
disclosure of the patient's health information for treatment, payment purposes
and general health care operations, including quality assurance.
FP Report is published by the
AAFP News Department.
Copyright © 2002 by
American Academy of Family Physicians.
