BIDMCtoday: HIPAA Countdown February 2003

HIPAA Countdown

Q. I have heard that under the HIPAA privacy rule, BIDMC patients may request access to their information in the BIDMC “Designated Record Set.” What does this mean?

A. A Designated Record Set is a group of records used by or for a covered entity (such as BIDMC) to make decisions about patients. It may include medical records, billing records, enrollment, payment, claims and case or medical management records.

Under the Privacy Rule, patients have the right to request access to, inspect and obtain a copy of their Personal Health Information (PHI) that is contained in a Designated Record Set. Patients must receive written notification when they are denied access to their records.

At BIDMC, policies and procedures are currently being written to assist staff in handling these requests once the Privacy Rule goes into effect on April 14, 2003.

More information on HIPAA: See the BIDMC HIPAA Web site, available on the General Portal under Employee Resources, Patient Privacy (HIPAA).

For Your Health: Ask Be Well! Moments that Matter In the News HIPAA Countdown Honors Around BIDMC Calendar BIDMCtoday Home	HIPAA Countdown Q. I have heard that under the HIPAA privacy rule, BIDMC patients may request access to their information in the BIDMC “Designated Record Set.” What does this mean? A. A Designated Record Set is a group of records used by or for a covered entity (such as BIDMC) to make decisions about patients. It may include medical records, billing records, enrollment, payment, claims and case or medical management records. Under the Privacy Rule, patients have the right to request access to, inspect and obtain a copy of their Personal Health Information (PHI) that is contained in a Designated Record Set. Patients must receive written notification when they are denied access to their records. At BIDMC, policies and procedures are currently being written to assist staff in handling these requests once the Privacy Rule goes into effect on April 14, 2003. More information on HIPAA: See the BIDMC HIPAA Web site, available on the General Portal under Employee Resources, Patient Privacy (HIPAA).