Patients will still be able to receive test results from their physicians, but the final rule offers them the option to receive them directly from the laboratory while assuring their privacy is still protected.
The final rule also eliminates the exception under HIPAA’s Privacy Rule that grants a patient access to his or her health information when it is held by a CLIA-certified or CLIA-exempt laboratory.
Three HHS agencies jointly issued the final rule: CMS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Office for Civil Rights.
More Articles on Patient Confidentiality:
Stolen Records Compromise Patient Information at St. Francis Hospital
Ruling: HIPAA-Covered Entities Subject to FTC Data Security Enforcement Action
Preventing Data Breaches at Anesthesiology Practices: 9 Steps
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.