Q: If an inpatient is transferred before we receive a positive novel coronavirus (COVID-19) lab result, do we need to query the provider to amend the discharge summary to state “COVID-19 positive”?
Q: When dealing with a public health emergency, which disclosures are permitted to the media and which are not? Does HIPAA allow for any identifiable information to be disclosed to news organizations if the intention is to protect the public at large?
Q: If our organization failed to provide the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON) or the Important Message from Medicare (IM) form to a patient during the chaos of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, should we avoid submitting a Medicare claim for the case?
Q: Like other hospitals, we have had many patients transported via ambulance with COVID-19 symptoms. Once these patients are tested for the virus, are we permitted under HIPAA to disclose their test results to the first responders who treated them and brought them to the hospital?
Q: Case managers are often being called to fill other roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. How can case managers contribute if they lack the skills or the recent experience necessary to succeed as bedside nurses?
Q: How should we report positive COVID-19 cases in ICD-10-CM without respiratory manifestations or any signs or symptoms and no prior suspected exposure?
Q: When dealing with a public health emergency, which disclosures are permitted to the media and which are not? Does HIPAA allow for any identifiable information to be disclosed to news organizations if the intention is to protect the public at large?
