HIPAA Compliance and Regulatory Process

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule provides consumers with important privacy rights and protections with respect to their health information. This includes controls over how their health information is used and disclosed by health plans and health care providers. Ensuring privacy is especially important where very sensitive information is concerned, such as mental health information. As mental health providers are aware, HIPAA comes into play when communicating with a patient’s family members, friends, or others as well as safeguarding protected health information.

Often, health care providers are asked to provide information in connection with a subpoena or in support of a patient’s litigation. Careful ethical considerations are implicated and care must be taken to avoid improperly disclosing information and to ensure the proper consents have been obtained.

If you have a question or issue involving patient confidentiality, we can help. If you need a business associate’s agreement drafted, we can help. If you receive an investigative demand for a patient’s protected health information, we can help. If a breach has occurred, we can help. Call us at 732-238-8686.