Practice Management: Refresh Your HIPAA Compliance Know-How

Why This Topic Matters

As waiver periods expire, practices need to re-check day-to-day privacy workflows to reduce the risk of HIPAA violations and maintain compliant handling of patient information. The article is useful for staff who manage records, patient communications, and privacy procedures.

Article Sections

1. Review PHI Parameters

   Introduces the basic scope of protected health information and the types of identifiers that affect whether information is considered protected. It also notes that additional identifying context can matter in compliance review.

2. Know How to Release Patients’ PHI

   Summarizes general circumstances in which patient information may be disclosed and distinguishes routine consent from other forms of authorization. It also addresses identity verification and related privacy documentation concepts.

3. Provide Proper Patient Access for PHI

   Covers patient access to records maintained in a designated record set and the general expectations around response time and fees. It also notes limits on access to certain categories of information.