HIPAA and postcards

drtech · Post by **drtech** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:13 pm

Anyone having problems with complaints about HIPPA from sending out appointment postcards? We have had a few complaints from patients calling us after receiving our cards and saying we can't put appointment information and a patient's name on a card because it is against HIPPA regulation. Is this true? I just read on:

http://www.hhs.gov/news/facts/privacy2007.html

Confidential Communications. Under the Privacy Rule, patients can request that their doctors, health plans and other covered entities take reasonable steps to ensure that their communications with the patient are confidential. For example, a patient could ask a doctor to call his or her office rather than home, and the doctor's office should comply with that request if it can be reasonably accommodated.

...that a patient can request confidential communication, but it doesn't say anything that we have to hide their appointment info. To do this, I would have to put them in an envelope to conceal the info, and that is quite a bit more on postage... Anyone else dealing with this?

also:
http://www.calphys.org/html/bb061.asp

HIPAA Tip:
Using Reminder Postcards
[Posted 12/05/02]
HIPAA does not preclude the use of appointment reminder postcards. The postcard, however, should contain no more information than time and date of appointment and the physicianÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s name and contact number.

Jorgebon · Post by **Jorgebon** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:31 am

Tell those patients that you will not send them reminders if they don't want them, but that they'll have to pay you for missed appointments.

sparkly · Post by **sparkly** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:40 pm

ha! yeah!
anyway, when they sign hipaa, it states you can use of their information for reasonable/relevant business use eg, referrals, CONFIRMATIONS (phone message, postcard, or otherwise), and other things. jorge has a great idea since you can't tell them to just shove it.

savvy · Post by **savvy** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:20 pm

It's hard to refute some concerns..........

Local grad students apartment was robbed. A suspect was caught. In his possessions were not only the stolen property, but.....................

a recall card sent to the grad student listing the time of her appointment (ie: she wasn't going to be home hat a certain time and date.