1. HIPAA UPDATES

2. HIPAA – KNOWING WHAT IT IS Health Information Portability and Accountability Act “HIPAA” - federal law giving patients certain privacy rights, such as:  Look at and receive a copy of their own medical and billing records  Request an amendment to these records  Request limits with respect to how their information is used and released HIPAA also requires healthcare organizations and their business associates to do the following:  Follow rules pertaining to use and release of patient information  Keep patient information private and confidential, safe, and accurate http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/coveredentities/businessassociates.html

3. PATIENT RIGHT UPDATES: LAB TEST RESULTS In 2014, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) was strengthened While patients can continue to get access to their laboratory test reports from their doctors, patients may request and obtain their test reports directly from the laboratory. http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/special/CLIA

4. UNDERSTANDING SPOUSE, FAMILY MEMBER, AND MARRIAGE IN THE PRIVACY RULE The Privacy Rule includes the terms spouse and marriage in the definition of family member. If a marriage/spouse (whether same-sex or opposite-sex) has been legally sanctioned in another state or jurisdiction then your facility is obligated to regard the spouse as such regardless of your state’s acknowledgement of same-sex marriage (45 CFR 160.103)

5. GUIDANCE ON MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS AND FRIENDS Healthcare providers may communicate with a patient’s family, friends, or other persons the patient has involved in his or her health care or payment for care, so long as the patient does not object. If the Patient is not present or is incapacitated, a health care provider may share the patient’s information with family or friends, as long as the health care provider determines, based on professional judgment, that doing so is in the best interests of the patient.

6. GUIDANCE ON MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS If the provider believes the patient cannot meaningfully agree or object due to their current mental state, the provider is allowed to discuss the patient’s condition or treatment with a family member. If the patient has capacity and objects the provider may only share the information if he/she has a good faith belief that the patient poses a threat to the health or safety of the patient or others, and the family member is reasonably able to prevent or lessen that threat.

7. INSTRUCTOR CONTACTS Abbigail Couey Training Project Manager abbigail.hth@gmail.com 678-772-8490 Meghan Williams Customer Relations Coordinator meghan.p.williams@gmail.com (229) 308-4996