Obtaining valid authorizations for disclosure is a significant area of risk for many organizations. Often, staff members handling disclosures don't understand the requirements?especially regarding when authorizations are needed and who can legally sign them. This chapter takes a comprehensive look at authorizations, including required elements, when they're needed, when they're not needed, who can sign them, and the need to screen outside authorizations.
P.T. Barnum once said, "There's a sucker born every minute." The sentiment that many people are gullible, and we can expect this to continue, has never been truer than with HIPAA compliance.
Q: I perform monthly HIPAA audits of computer systems at the medical group where I am employed. I recently started auditing physicians and allied health professionals who are credentialed members of our medical staff.
Q: You are reviewing a computer-generated insurance claim before it is sent to the insurance carrier, and you happen to notice the patient's name on the claim?it's an old friend of yours. You quickly read the code for the diagnosis. Is this a breach of confidentiality?
Q: It is my understanding that written authorization is required for the release of PHI even for treatment, payment, and operations purposes. I believe this is true in New York state, but am unsure if it is also true nationally.
