Wiki hipaa privacy protocal for billing q's

[jebond123]

Am I allowed to take calls from a parent of a 20 year old patient? They want to pay her balance and left a vm message asking for a call back so they can settle her acct.
Thanks

 

[csperoni]

Yes! There is an exclusion that allows communication for purposes of payment. So whether a parent, a neighbor, a spouse, a sibling, a friend (basically anyone), you may speak with them to pay a balance. You must limit the information disclosed, however. For example, if the parent starts asking questions about additional treatment, diagnosis, prescriptions, etc., then that requires patient consent.

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/266/does-the-privacy-rule-permit-a-covered-entity-to-communicate-with-other-parties-regarding-a-bill/index.html

 

[jebond123]

Thank you for this info - very much appreciated