Homemaker-Home Health Aide Service of Beaver County, Inc.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
HIPAA - It's the Law!
HIPAA is a federal law that among other things protects client's Personal Health Information and sets rules, regulations and penalties about how and when the information is used and disclosed. The law covers health care providers including home care among all covered entities.
HM-HHAS Privacy Practices
Notice of Privacy Practices
Clients are given a copy of the agency's Notice of Privacy Practices at admission which outlines their rights under the HIPPA law. Each client is asked to sign an Informed Consent form acknowledging they have received and reviewed a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practice at admission. If this is not possible because of the client's condition, the client's responsible family member or agent will be asked to sign this document. A copy of this notice is posted in the office.
Request Restrictions on Personal Health Information
Clients may request limits on the use and disclosure of their personal health information by writing those restrictions on the Informed Consent Form. These restrictions cannot limit disclosures that Homemaker-Home Health Aide Service of Beaver County, Inc. (HM-HHAS) is required to make. If HM-HHAS agrees with the restrictions, it will abide by them except in an emergency. The client may revoke the restrictions in writing anytime.
Confidential Communications
HM-HHAS maintains security standards and procedures to prevent unauthorized access to client's personal health information. HM-HHAS limits employee access to personal health information to those with a business reason for knowing such information. The client's record is secured in a locked cabinet with access restricted to those who have a need to know the information for treatment, payment, or operational purposes. Employees are trained so they will understand the importance of protecting the confidentiality of personal health information, and in acting appropriately to enforce employee privacy responsibilities. When a client is discharged, HM-HHAS will continue to protect the information in compliance with the law. Clients can authorize HM-HHAS, in writing, to send their personal health information by any means to any location. This means information, at the request of the client, can be sent by fax, e-mail, mail or other means.
Inspection and Get Copies of Personal Health Information
Clients have access to their personal health information and the right to inspect and get copies (not originals) of personal health information held by HM-HHAS. The client must request this information in writing and HM-HHAS must respond within thirty days (30) of the request. The request must detail the specific information needed and how the client will retrieve this information. A fee of $1.00 per page, up to a maximum of $50.00 per request, is charged. HM-HHAS will not release information from other health care providers. The client must go directly to that provider for the requested information. HM-HHAS will also deny access or copies of Psychotherapy notes and CLIA exceptions. Denials that are subject to review are when the denial endangers a person's life, health and safety, when personal health information refers to another client and may cause harm, or when the request is made by client's representative and may cause harm.
Request Amendments and Corrections to Personal Health Information
The clients can request corrections or amendments to their personal health information in writing and HM-HHAS must comply within sixty days (60). If approved, HM-HHAS will make the requested changes by appending the client's original record and notify them that changes have been made. Notifications to others who have a right to know will also be made. HM-HHAS may deny the request if the changes are not created or received by HM-HHAS, not in HM-HHAS records, the record is complete and accurate, or access is not permitted under HIPPA. The client will be notified of the denial in writing.
An Accounting of Disclosures of Personal Health Information
Clients can receive an accounting of the disclosure of their personal health information upon written request to HM-HHAS. This accounting includes only the disclosures made for reasons other than those allowed by the law. If such disclosure is to be made, clients or their agents must first sign the Authorization of Release of Personal Health Information form. The original copy of this form will be maintained in the client's record and the disclosure recorded on the Personal Health Information Disclosure Flow Sheet, also found in the record. HM-HHAS must respond to this request within sixty days (60) of the request by forwarding a copy of the Personal Health Information Disclosure Flow Sheet from the client's record.
Complain
The client has the right to make a complaint. If the client believes HM-HHAS has violated hes privacy rights, he can contact the Executive Director of HM-HHAS of Beaver County, Inc. at 500 Market Street, Suite 104, Bridgewater, PA 15009 or by calling 724-774-4002. All complaints will be documented and the disposition recorded if applicable. The client also may file a written complaint to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services at 200 Independence Ave., S.W.; Room 615 F; Washington, DC 20201. HM-HHAS service to the client will neither be affected nor will HM-HHAS of Beaver County, Inc. take any action against the cliet if they file a complaint about our privacy practices.
|
