Q: Under what circumstances can a CE disclose PHI to family and friends of the patient? Does the patient always need to verbally consent to the disclosure? For example, if a patient brings a friend or family member with him or her into the emergency room, should the doctor assume that the patient is OK with the friend or family member being privy to PHI?
Organizations that received Provider Relief Fund payments of more than $10,000 will be required to report information on how PRF payments were used as well as expenses related to the novel coronavirus that were not reimbursed (COVID-19), according to new HHS guidance.
CHSPSC, LLC, a business associate providing services such as IT and HIM to hospitals and physician clinics owned by Community Health Systems in Franklin, Tennessee, agreed to pay $2.3 million to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and to adopt a corrective action plan to settle potential HIPAA violations.
During a meeting in early September, members of the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee proposed creating new ICD-10-CM codes related to screening, exposure, and personal history for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The new codes, if finalized, would take effect in January 2021.
UnitedHealthcare’s (UHC) plan to require in-network, freestanding and outpatient laboratory claims to contain a unique code for most lab testing services is poorly timed and poses significant implementation hurdles, the American Hospital Association (AHA) said.
Q: A recent study by the California Lab Policy reported 50% of unsheltered individuals experience "tri-morbidity" (co-occurring physical health, mental health, and substance abuse challenges), compared to just 2% of sheltered individuals. What can case managers do to assist these patients?
