New HIPAA guidance clarifies when healthcare providers may disclose information about patients who may have been infected with or exposed to COVID-19 to law enforcement, paramedics, first responders and public health authorities. The guidance, issued… Read more
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced last week it was exercising its enforcement discretion to temporarily waive certain HIPAA penalties against healthcare providers. This change will allow for the more flexible good faith provision… Read more
Healthcare providers must continue to be cognizant of patient privacy and HIPAA requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the HIPAA Privacy Rule remains in effect during a public health emergency, the U.S. Department of Health… Read more
As the COVID-19 coronavirus takes hold in the United States, many providers are beginning to limit traditional face-to-face treatment and are starting to rely on telehealth services to treat patients. Health and Human Service’s Office… Read more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it has developed a new billing code for use by laboratories to bill for certain COVID-19 diagnostic tests. The Medicare claims processing systems will be able… Read more
For Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities, Physician Offices, Urgent Care Clinics, and Other Providers: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold daily, healthcare entities of all sizes will need to continually assess their readiness to… Read more
Patients’ right to access their health information is a core patient right protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act)…. Read more
On May 9, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia found that an attending physician acted legally when collecting blood and urine samples from a patient in emergency custody without the… Read more
Nursing Home Truth in Advertising Passes Virginia General Assembly All adult care communities in Virginia should thank their representatives in the Virginia General Assembly for passing the Nursing Home Truth in Advertising legislation on March… Read more
Breach Notification Rule The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requires healthcare providers and certain health plans to notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), of breaches of unsecured… Read more
