How does HIPAA affect workers compensation?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), administers the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It has issued guidelines that indicate that covered providers may disclose health information to workers’ compensation insurers, state administrators, employers, and other entities involved in the w.c. system, to the extent disclosure is necessary to comply with, or is required by, state law, or to obtain payment. The guidelines include a number of frequently asked questions. For more information, please contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
