New HIPAA Regulations Released

The Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights recently released a final rule regarding the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rule. Throughout the regulatory process, the American Optometric Association has been engaged representing the interests of our members to ensure that patient privacy is respected and that optometrists do not face any unfair treatment or discrimination or any unnecessary compliance burdens.

• Patients will be allowed to request an electronic copy of their electronic health record.
• Patients will have the right to instruct their doctors to withhold information about treatment if the patient pays cash for the services rendered.
• Optometrists, like other doctors, will need to be aware of additional information requirements for Notices of Privacy Practices (NPPs).
• NPPs must include information regarding patients' rights following breaches of protected health information and information regarding a patients' rights when paying for services out of pocket.

The final rule takes effect March 26; however, covered entities and their business associates generally will have until Sept. 23 to comply with most of the rule's provisions. The AOA is developing resources to assist members in understanding the requirements of the new regulations. Look for additional updates over the next several weeks. If you have specific questions in the meantime, please contact Kara Webb at the AOA Washington office at 1-800-3565-2219 / KCWebb@aoa.org.