History of Patient Privacy
After many years of effort and debate, a federal law now protects the privacy of patient records. The HIPAA medical records' privacy rule provides a floor of federal protection. Current state laws that are more protective remain in effect, and states are free to provide for even stronger protections in the future.
The HIPAA privacy law arms psychologists with the ability to guard against inappropriate requests for their patients' records from managed care organizations and other entities. This protection for psychotherapy notes in the federal law will help ensure that very sensitive communications between you and your patients will remain private.
At the same time, the HIPAA privacy law affords patients new rights regarding their records. The law requires you to take proactive steps to protect your patients' records that will impact how you keep records and how you use and disclose them.
APA Comments: Proposed Rule Providing Modifications to Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information
by Russ Newman, PhD, JD
April 24, 2002 -- APA Comments: Proposed Rule Providing Modifications to Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information.
Learn More ...
Comments on Final Rule on Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information
by Russ Newman, PhD, JD
March 13, 2001 -- Final Rule on Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information, as published in 65 Fed. Reg. 86462, December 28, 2000.
Learn More ...
