HIPAA and Providers

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Health Information Services/Medical Records

HIPAA and Providers

Select this link to go to General Information about HIPAA

As providers and stakeholders to the Harris County community, you are essential partners in our efforts to protect the health information of Harris County residents.

Please note that HIPAA regulations do not affect the legal requirements in the Texas Health and Safety Code 81 for reporting of notifiable diseases and providing access to medical records when needed as part of a public health investigation.

Congress was very clear in its intent that this legislation not impede public health practice [42 USCA Section 1320d-7(b)]. HHS similarly recognized the importance of continuing to authorize the sharing of protected health information for public health purposes [45 CFR Section 164.512(b)(l)(i)].

The privacy regulations authorize providers to disclose health information without an individual’s authorization [45 CFR Section 164.512 (a)].

Public health authorities have a long history of protecting and preserving the confidentiality of protected health information (PHI) obtained from patients and providers.

If HCPHES staff request PHI over the phone, we will always identify ourselves and the patients about whom we are inquiring.
If HCPHES staff request PHI in person, we will present an official HCPHES badge for identification.
If HCPHES staff request PHI via fax or mail, we will submit our request on official HCPHES letterhead.

We ask that you convey this information to all levels of your staff to ensure compliance and cooperation. This includes providing access to paper and electronic medical records as necessary.

If you have any questions about HCPHES request for release of information, please contact the HCPHES Privacy Officer, Diane Thompson, at (713) 439-6168 or dthompson@hcphes.org

For additional information about HIPAA, visit http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa.

Last updated: November 15, 2010
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services
2223 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
Tel: (713) 439-6000
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