Title: Describe techniques for confidential communication of health/medical information within legal/regulatory guidelines.
Course: Medical Coding and Billing I (14151-III) > Section: Understanding Health Informatics

Description should include

- ways in which HIPAA relates to the healthcare system
- methods by which HIPAA compliance is implemented, reviewed, and regulated
- examples of reportable public health information (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases, flu cases, births, deaths)
- list of basic legal and ethical issues related to the healthcare profession
- list of commonly-used forms and guidelines (e.g., consent forms, Patient Bill of Rights).

Process/Skill Questions

- Why is confidentiality so important in the field of health care? How can one assist in the maintenance of patient confidentiality?
- How can the Patient Bill of Rights be described?
- What might be the consequences of violating HIPAA regulations?
- Why is it important that certain health information, even though it may be private, be communicated to public health organizations?
- What action should be taken if a patient’s medical records were subpoenaed in a court case?
- How is a breach of information handled?