HIPAA Deadline - April 14, 2003
If you are a chiropractor and file ANY claims electronically, you only have a few weeks to get compliant.  And even if don't file electronically, HIPAA affects you.  Hospitals, MRI centers, and vendors may request that you sign a Business Associate agreement before handling personally identifiable information about your patients. 

Get your office compliant quickly, easily, and at a reasonable price, see: HIPAA FORMS

HIPAA Q &A
Q:  Do I really need an authorization form AND a privacy notice?
A:  Yes. The privacy notice tells the patient your office privacy policy, and it should be shown to all new patients. The authorization is required before you release protected information to someone else or another entity, such as an attorney.

Q:  Do I need to get a signed authorization to share protected information with my patients' insurance company?
A:  No. Dealings with insurance companies are part of "health care operations," and thus covered in your Privacy Statement.

Q:  Do I need to get a signed authorization to release information to my patient's employer?
A:  Yes.  It should be noted that many companies are self-insured, and release of information to the insurer will also release information to the employer.  

Q:  Do I need to get an authorization signed if an attorney requests it for an auto accident case?
A:  Yes.  The authorization must be specific for data relating to the care received.

Q:  Do I need to get a signed authorization from the imaging center when I refer the patient for an MRI?
A:  Not if the information is relevant to the patient's care.  You are allowed to make appropriate referrals.

Q:  May I send birthday postcards to patients?
A:  If you have told the patients you would in your privacy notice, yes.

*Answers provided courtesy of Robert A. Hayden, DC, PhD.

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HIPAA - Three Weeks and Counting

Find out what it is, who's affected and what changes you need to be made before April 14, 2003.  Read HIPAA Bottom Line: http://www.bodyzone.com/custom/hipaa.html