How Hipaa Violations Affect the Medical Billing Process

How HIPAA Violations Affect the Medical Billing Process

University of Phoenix

Claims Preparation I

HCR/220

June 28, 2011

Abstract

In this paper it will be discussed the implications of both forms a patient's diseases, HIV and AIDS, from the perspective of HIPAA confidentiality. It will also discuss why HIV and AIDS information is more sensitive than other types of health conditions, examine the social, legal and ethical ramifications of improper information disclosure.

How HIPAA Violations Affect the Medical Billing Process

"Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, public health authorities have the right to collect or receive information for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease and in the "conduct of public health surveillance…without further authorization. This exception to HIPAA regulations authorizes providers to report HIV/AIDS cases to the HIV Epidemiology Program without obtaining patient permission. Other disclosures of protected information must be made on the HIPAA- Compliant Authorization for Release of Medical Information and Confidential HIV-Related Information and must be signed by the patient. State law prohibits any further disclosure of protected information without the specific written consent of the person to whom it pertains, or as otherwise permitted by law. Any unauthorized further disclosure in violation of state law may result in a fine or jail sentence or both (New York City Department of Health, 2011)".

Information about patients with the HIV and the Aids virus is kept confidential. While referring to the HIPPAA regulations, privacy and confidentiality are two different concepts. The confidential information is any document or report that could be damaging and very sensitive, to a patient. This is why special laws are put in place, to protect an individuals confidential information. This is private information that an individual does not wish to have in the open, so only he/she and the physician know...