What is the DMH “message” to legislators concerning the privacy of consumer healthcare info under HIPAA?
(A) “There are new federal privacy regulations (HIPAA), effective April 14, 2003 which impose requirements on state agencies that either pay for or provide health care services, including DMH. The regulations dictate how state agency employees can legally communicate with Legislators and staff as well as employees of other agencies. While legislators and other officials may communicate with DMH staff about constituent service issues, DMH staff may not respond in any way that includes individually identifiable healthcare information, unless the constituent has signed an authorization to disclose the information and the authorization is first provided to DMH. You should have your constituent complete an authorization form (‘Authorization to Disclose SCDMH Protected Health Information’ http://dmhhome/hipaa/authdisclose.pdf ). You may also download a copy of other covered State agencies authorization forms at www.hipaa.state.sc.us/disclose.htm. To facilitate service to your constituents: P
(A) “There are new federal privacy regulations (HIPAA), effective April 14, 2003 which impose requirements on state agencies that either pay for or provide health care services, including DMH. The regulations dictate how state agency employees can legally communicate with Legislators and staff as well as employees of other agencies. While legislators and other officials may communicate with DMH staff about constituent service issues, DMH staff may not respond in any way that includes individually identifiable healthcare information, unless the constituent has signed an authorization to disclose the information and the authorization is first provided to DMH. You should have your constituent complete an authorization form (‘Authorization to Disclose SCDMH Protected Health Information’ http://dmhhome/hipaa/authdisclose.pdf ). You may also download a copy of other covered State agencies authorization forms at www.hipaa.state.sc.us/disclose.htm. To facilitate service to your constituents: P
