Has OMH issued new patient authorization forms?
OMH has revised its OMH-11 form, which is used in its own directly operated facilities and programs to obtain patient authorization to release information. The revised form is included as Appendix 3 of the new OMH Privacy Policy Manual and can be viewed on-line at http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/hipaa/manual/appendix3.pdf. Q: Our organization is an outpatient mental health clinic, but we also provide case management and crisis services. At times it is necessary to have access to a client’s PHI, be it in the evening or on weekends, when the agency is closed. How do we comply with HIPAA Privacy rules under these circumstances? Do we need locked briefcases or file boxes in our vehicles to guarantee patient confidentiality? (March 2003) A: The HIPAA Privacy rule is not intended to impair the flow of information necessary to provide patient care; however, it does provide that a covered entity must implement reasonable safeguards to protect a client’s PHI.
OMH has revised its OMH-11 form, which is used in its own directly operated facilities and programs to obtain patient authorization to release information. The revised form is included as Appendix 3 of the new OMH Privacy Policy Manual and can be viewed on-line at http://www.omh.state.ny.us/omhweb/hipaa/manual/appendix3.pdf. Q: Our organization is an outpatient mental health clinic, but we also provide case management and crisis services. At times it is necessary to have access to a client’s PHI, be it in the evening or on weekends, when the agency is closed. How do we comply with HIPAA Privacy rules under these circumstances? Do we need locked briefcases or file boxes in our vehicles to guarantee patient confidentiality? (March 2003) A: The HIPAA Privacy rule is not intended to impair the flow of information necessary to provide patient care; however, it does provide that a covered entity must implement reasonable safeguards to protect a client’s PHI. A covered entity must have in pla
