There are a variety of situations where disputes may arise regarding the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI). The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensures that people’s private information will be kept confidential when they receive medical treatment. However, this can sometimes present difficulties for medical providers who need to seek payment for the services provided to patients. When disputes arise regarding whether a provider improperly disclosed a patient’s PHI, it is important for the parties involved to understand how the laws may apply in these situations.
HIPAA Rules for Communicating With People Other Than Patients
In most cases, HIPAA prohibits the disclosure of protected health information unless a provider receives written permission from a patient. However, HIPAA’s Privacy Rule does allow providers or people or organizations they employ, such as collection agencies, to disclose PHI when necessary to obtain payments for health care services that were provided to patients.