Yes, everyone working in the office must follow these rules.
Yes, HIPAA allows your physician to disclose your health information to family members and friends involved in your care as long as you do not object to the disclosure.
Yes, as long as your physician is discussing only the information needed to accomplish a legitimate function (like treatment or payment for your treatment). This is called the “minimum necessary” standard under the Privacy Rule.
Yes, your physician may fax your health information as long as reasonable safeguards are used.
Yes, your physician may still have you sign your name at the time of registration or announce your name in order to call you to an exam room.
HIPAA prohibits the selling or disclosing of your private health information.
No. Under HIPAA, collection activities are considered legitimate payment functions, and disclosures of “minimum necessary” data to collection or credit agencies to receive payment are possible.
Parents of children 17 years and under generally have access to their child’s health information. However, HIPAA usually defers to state law in recognizing certain confidential relationships.
Yes, HIPAA does not prohibit the physician from accessing your health information to prepare the process for seeing you for the first time.
Yes, unless you object to having the office contact you at your home, such as with appointment reminders, your physician will continue to leave message reminders and communications with you as necessary to provide quality service.