HIPAA is a new legal regulation designed to further protect your privacy. HIPAA went into effect on 4/1/03 and newer HIPAA regulations are being phased in.

The most relevant aspect of HIPAA Privacy Statement is that I will make every effort to protect the information you give me and will only disclose your personal healthcare information after receiving your written consent. When some outside third party requests your personal information I will contact you so we can discuss the parameters of such disclosure.

Billing services, communication with your insurer regarding claims, and office procedures do not require your written permission. Only the smallest amount of information will be released. When some outside party contacts me, I will contact you, give you a more extensive handout regarding HIPAA, review your right to refuse disclosure, review my obligation to cooperate with any legal request for release of your personal healthcare information.

If I should decide that the release of your records is inappropriate or will engender misunderstanding I will deny your request for disclosure. I will also document for you and others the reasons for disclosure. If I deny your request you have the right to file a complaint with the Secretary of Health and Human Services. You will need to put your request for disclosure in writing and the complaint process will be explained in writing.

If you are interested in learning more about HIPAA and the protection of your personal healthcare information please ask me. At present, my office and the billing service I use are in full compliance with existing state and federal regulations.