September 2005

HHS issues reminder of HIPAA emergency provisions

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is reminding healthcare providers about HIPPA provisions for providing information in disaster situations.

The HHS Office for Civil Rights issued a bulletin stating that providers can share patient information without an individual’s authorization as necessary to provide treatment; to identify, locate, and notify family members or responsible parties; or to prevent or lessen a “serious and imminent threat” to a person or to the public.

The complete bulletin is available online at www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/KATRINAnHIPAA.pdf.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, www.hhs.gov/ocr

Industry News from:
Chiropractic News from: