TomsWife

CRAZE,
Mabe I can help you now. I work for a local hospital here and have been for years. There are laws in effect in reference to patient confidentiality. There is a law/regulation here is a little information on it
Brief HIPAA Background
The U.S. Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in August 1996. HIPAA was enacted to improve healthcare delivery and to protect the privacy and security of patient health information. Six years since its enactment, all healthcare entities-from physician's offices to medical claims clearinghouses-that deal with patient health information are facing HIPAA's implementation requirements. HIPAA will necessitate sweeping changes in most healthcare transaction and administrative information systems
You have the decision as to who you want to know what. When a Pt calls me on the phone I have to make sure its actually the pt and not someone else by verifying the date of service, pts social securtity number and date of birth, and address. Now, granted wifes call for husbands and visa versa but I have to obtain written permission from the pt to discuss anything with the non-patient caller.
I hope I helped you. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Mariliyn

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