HIPAA - 3.24.08 Tip

HIPAA TIPS OF THE WEEK

3.10.08 TIP OF THE WEEK

Can PHI Be Faxed Outside The UCMC?

It is okay to fax protected health information (PHI) to someone outside the UCMC when there is a legitimate need to know such as:

for an emergent patient care encounter,
for arranging services with another provider (e.g. continuity of care),
for a referring physician,
for mandated reporting requirements, or
for approval of services or to facilitate payment.

The amount of PHI faxed should be limited to the minimum amount needed to complete the task and each fax should be accompanied by the HIPAA Program Office approved fax coversheet.

As a general note, do not fax PHI (e.g. clinic note) to a patient. As an alternative, please mail or have the patient come in person to pick up the information.

Contact the HPO at 4-9716 or at HPO@bsd.uchicago.edu.

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