• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Upload Advertising

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The benefits of educating your clients on HIPAA compliance

Kaitlin Morrison October 6, 2016

HIPAA compliance

HIPAA compliance issues are a big part of healthcare that many patients are unfamiliar with.

Chiropractic clinics can inform their patients of how compliance issues impact their care by initiating compliance conversations with patients, answering their questions and offering resources for more information.

The rights and responsibilities protecting both practitioners and their patients by regulating healthcare may be difficult for some patients to understand, so be ready to simplify terminology and discuss the relevance of understanding compliance concepts.

By establishing yourself as a resource to patients, you are empowering them to make their own healthcare choices and become more involved in how their data and information are used.¹

Prepare patient education materials and strategies using these suggestions.

Making information available

Patients may want to know how their information is used, what your clinic is required to do to protect their privacy, and how they can learn more about their rights. As much as possible, you and your clinic should work to make this information readily available and easy to understand.

Making copies of your privacy policy, information about your compliance with HIPAA and other relevant materials available to your patients is vitally important. Provide this information to them and make sure extra copies are available at the front desk.

If your patients have questions, be available to answer them and make sure your office and front desk staff are trained to answer common questions. Be sure to tell them they can approach you or your office staff if they are confused about compliance issues or have questions.¹

As needed, point your patients to other resources such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s (HHS) HIPAA information for patients. This website features HIPAA information in a variety of different formats, such as video, fact sheets and guides and is designed with patient-friendly language and information.

Empowering patients

Educating patients on how their information is used and protected helps them make better, more informed choices. As their chiropractic physician, your role in this decision-making process is key. Helping your patients figure out their options enables them to understand how their choices today impact their care tomorrow.¹

This education is part of achieving informed consent. Just as you would answer your patients’ questions about their chiropractic care, you should also be prepared to help your patients understand electronic health records, privacy issues, and other aspects of compliance.

Your patients may wonder why such policies exist or may not understand how they are personally impacted by healthcare legislation. Whenever possible, take time to study patient rights and obtain information that your patients may ask for. Your diligence may show patients how much you care about their privacy and personal rights.¹

Because many of the terms associated with compliance issues are complex and specialized, some patients may have difficultly understanding how healthcare policy impacts them.

Whenever you create printed or electronic materials, make sure all unusual or uncommon terms are defined and use simple, direct language if it is possible.¹

If you need a new or revised privacy policy, consider reading the example privacy policies provided by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). A variety of different paper-based and digital notices are available for download to use as inspiration for your own policy notices.

Partner with your staff

Now that you are preparing to teach your patients about compliance, enlist help from your office and front desk staff. Show them how to share compliance resources, answer questions and educate patients.

References 

¹healthit.gov. “Patient Consent for eHIE: Patient Education and Engagement.” healthit.gov. https://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/patient-education-and-engagement. Accessed: September 2016.

Related Posts

  • Performing a chiropractic security risk assessmentPerforming a chiropractic security risk assessment
  • The Safe Harbor method: More than just protecting patientsThe Safe Harbor method: More than just protecting patients
  • 7 tips to help you protect patient privacy7 tips to help you protect patient privacy
  • Mobile healthcare apps: What every DC needs to knowMobile healthcare apps: What every DC needs to know
  • Is your cloud provider HIPAA compliant?Is your cloud provider HIPAA compliant?
  • Is your communication with patients HIPAA compliant?Is your communication with patients HIPAA compliant?

Filed Under: Practice Management Software, Resource Center

Current Issue

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

820 A1A N Highway W18,

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Phone 904.285.6020

Fax 904.395.9118

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • Colorado allows chiropractors to give COVID-19 vaccine shots
  • American Chiropractic Association lauds U.S. Congress passing fair competition health legislation
    The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) lauded the U.S. Congress for passing legislation that will promote fair competition in health...
  • Logan University debuts new health center
    Logan University logo