OASIS Alert
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True or False? Now that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy regulations are in effect, clinicians generally can't share information with a patient's family and friends. A. False. "HIPAA does not cut off all communications between providers and the families and friends of patients," instructs attorney Richard M. Campanelli with the HHS Office for Civil Rights. In a May 20 letter clarifying the privacy regs, Campanelli explains that providers can share needed information with the patient's family and friends "as long as the patient does not object." The privacy rule also allows providers to notify family members or other responsible persons about the patient's general condition or location, unless the patient objects when given the opportunity, he advises. Editor's Note: To see the letter, go to www.hhs.gov/ocr/Healthcare-Provider-letter.pdf. For further information go to www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/ and click on "Your Frequently Asked Questions on Privacy" and choose the subcategory "Disclosure to family and friends."
OASIS Alert
- Compliance:
AGENCIES LOSE THOUSANDS IN DIAGNOSIS CODING DENIALS
Here's how to clear up coding confusion among clinicians. If you don't select the correct [...] - Test Your OASIS Savvy ...
True or False? Now that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act privacy regulations are [...] - Diagnosis Coding:
11 TIPS FOR AVOIDING HIPPS DOWNCODING
Strategies for accurate coding -- the first time. Don't throw up your hands in coding [...] - Case Study:
DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF PATIENT EDUCATION TO BOOST YOUR OUTCOMES
Here's how one agency decreased hospital readmission rates. Hospital readmissions can hurt your HHA. One [...] - OBQI :
HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT HOME HEALTH COMPARE LATELY?
Rest on your laurels and you'll lose ground. Home Health Compare -- now nearing the [...] - Benchmarking:
AVERAGE IS GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO UTILIZATION DATA
Be ready to justify deviations. Even though the government's utilization data is five months old [...] - Reimbursement:
AVOID LOSING UP TO $600 ON EACH M0175 TAKEBACK
Confirm downcode appropriateness with 'APP DATE' field. You say you're not sure you can trust [...] - Utilization:
VISIT DATA FOR LAST SIX MONTHS OF 2003 PROVIDES BENCHMARKING OPPORTUNITY
Be prepared to explain why, if your utilization data differ significantly from other agencies in [...] - OASIS News:
THERAPY EXPANSION WILL COST AGENCIES
Yes, electromagnetic wound therapy can count as a therapy visit -- but there's a catch. [...] - Reader Question:
CAN HOSPITALS RESTRICT YOUR ACCESS TO YOUR PATIENT'S CHART?
Q: During a home health episode, our patients sometimes are admitted to the hospital, but [...]