HIPAA Essay

503 Words3 Pages

ISSUE The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has continued to evolve. The latest rules concerning the patients rights to control protected health information (PHI) is problematic for the health system, may place the organization at risk, and compromise patient care. BACKGROUND HIPAA now requires protected health information be made immediately available to the patient upon request. This information must be provided to the patient within 30 days. The information may be in paper form, electronic, or both. This information may be sent upon request to another care provider or any individual. In addition the patient may request the information be electronically transmitted to a “health” application. Patients have had the right to review and request correction of errors under HIPAA. Patients may now request portions of their …show more content…

Providing patients with a personal copy of their medical records places the patient in the security role. Asking the system to provide copies to a person or persons unknown is more complex. Asking the organization to electronically transmit information to an unknown site may require the organization on to verify the recipient can handle PHI. The risk of transmission error is significant. The patient may request only portions be sent. This edit may be resource intensive. The most concerning issue is the ability of the patient to restrict access to the medical record. These restrictions may interfere with safe medical care. The heath care provider may have their decision making compromised by the non-disclosure. If the patient requires a surrogate decision maker, limiting medical information may preclude the ability to make an informed decision. Limiting information from a health plan may limit a patient’s ability to receive care management or other services that may improve their heath. Limiting heath information may place the patient or others at risk.

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