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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.
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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)].
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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.
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If HCPHES
staff request PHI over the phone, we will always identify
ourselves and the patients about whom we are inquiring.
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If HCPHES
staff request PHI in person, we will present an official
HCPHES badge for identification.
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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.
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