Overview:

A widespread infectious disease outbreak like COVID-19 stresses the health care system.

HIPAA Rules regarding protected health information (PHI) are not suspended, but key provisions in the Privacy Rule manage the permitted and required uses and disclosures of PHI. And, if there is a Presidential Declaration of a Public Health Emergency, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can temporarily waive some HIPAA requirements.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule and OCR guidance clearly explain how Covered Entities and their Business Associates may collaborate and communicate with other Covered Entities and Public Health Authorities during the COVID-19 outbreak, and how to communicate with family, friends and others involved in the patient’s care.

This webinar will explain how Covered Entities and Business Associates can continue to serve their patients and wider communities with patient care, and protect themselves from HIPAA violations, and what are the limited waivers if the President declares a Public Health Emergency.

Why you should Attend: You will find out how to follow HIPAA and use and disclose PHI during the COVID-19 outbreak. You will also learn how to coordinate and collaborate with Public Health Authorities, and communicate with persons at risk for contracting the disease; in situations to prevent a serious and imminent threat; and with the media and others not involved in the patient’s care. You will also learn about the limited waivers of HIPAA sanctions and penalties for hospitals in a Presidential Declaration of a Public Health Emergency.

Areas Covered in the Session:

• Brief review of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, HIPAA Authorization and the Minimum Necessary Standard
• How HIPAA Rules apply in a public health emergency like an infectious disease outbreak
• Review of the situations where patient information may be shared without an individual’s Authorization
• Communication with family, friends and others involved in a patient’s care
• Disclosures to prevent a serious and imminent threat
• Disclosures to the media and others not involved in the care of the patient/notification
• How the Minimum Necessary Standard applies
• In the event of a Presidential Declaration, how the limited waiver of HIPAA sanctions and penalties for hospitals apply, including which hospitals may count on the waivers

• Health Care Providers
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Health Care Practices of all types and sizes
  • Physical, Occupational and Behavioral Therapists
• Health Plans
  • Group Health Plan Administrators
  • Third Party Group Health Plan Administrators
  • Health Plan Administrators
• Personnel
  • Executive Management - all Covered Entities
  • Compliance Committee - Covered Entity Board of Trustees
  • Practice Managers - Covered Entities
  • Attorneys for Covered Entities - In-house and Outside Counsel
  • Chief Compliance Officer - all Covered Entities
  • HIPAA Compliance Officials - Privacy and Security
  • Patient Engagement and Marketing Specialists
  • Patient Outreach Coordinators
  • Risk Managers
  • Covered Entity Owners and Senior Management
  • Compliance Committee - Physician, Practitioner-owned Covered Entities