The rules outlined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (or HIPAA), were instituted to protect any medical information from being shared without a patient’s consent. Only among healthcare personnel can patient information be shared. As a patient, or family of a patient, you have rights that require your information be kept confidential by your health care providers. Additionally, you have full control of how and when your information is shared or used.
Any information that is taken about a patient’s care whether orally, on paper, or electronically is protected. Information about a person’s physical or mental health, services provided, and/or any form of payment agreed upon or made is protected.
How does VQC comply with HIPAA?
All new employees will be educated on HIPAA privacy rules and periodically thereafter
PRIVACY
Patient privacy is maintained at all times
Protected Information
Protecting our patients' information is our top priority
Disclosure
We do not disclose patients' health information without written authorization or a verbal agreement
SAFE CONVERSATIONS
We safeguard against being overheard when discussing a patient’s treatment or condition with other healthcare providers (e.g. when reporting to a relief person)
Complaints
Any complaint of privacy breaches by an employee of VQC will be documented as well as the resolution
Conversations
Caregivers do not discuss the client’s personal health or financial information with any caller; they refer them to the healthcare provider, case manager, or family member
For more information about HIPAA, visit HHS.gov