The good folk at health insurance.org are hosting this biweek’s edition of Health Wonk Review.
There’s so much going on these days in wonk-ville that it is tough to keep up; thank goodness HWR does it for you!
Now you have more time to shop for your sweetie.
We know! What would you do without us!
Wondering if you have any thoughts about increasing hassles in obtaining needed medical records from providers? In NM, our understanding is that medical providers who insist on an authorization when one is not available should refer to 5 CFR 164.512(b)(1)(v)(B), which states that an authorization is not necessary to disclose PHI for work injuries, as a covered entity may disclose protected health information as authorized by and to the extent necessary to comply with laws relating to Workers’ Compensation.
Many of us in my field are experiencing increasing hassles and delays in obtaining records and reports necessary to develope the best plan of care to expedite treatment for our assigned injured workers. Can you advise or weigh in on this problem? Thank you!
Barbara – sorry but no direct knowledge of this. I’d imagine you have already informed them that if you don’t have the information you can’t get bills paid or care authorized.
Yes, sir – doesn’t seem to have any impact. Sometimes, it feels that some providers may use “HIPAA” as a first-blush response to dismiss the topic and move on to ‘next in line!’
I appreciate your response; I will see if anyone at the NM Workers’ Compensation Administration can have an answer, input, or other direction for me.
I enjoy your publication, sir!