Calliope
Former Member
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Apologies in advance if this has been asked and answered. Don't have much time today.
Even though it would violate hippa laws for a doc to reveal TH's medical/mental health history, is there anything barring a spouse or family member from revealing it publicly?
Could there be legal repercussions for this?
TIA
I'm not an attorney but someone who has HIPAA training yearly as a part of my job.
The answer (as far as HIPAA goes) is "no".
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html
Who Must Follow These Laws
We call the entities that must follow the HIPAA regulations covered entities.
Covered entities include:
Health Plans, including health insurance companies, HMOs, company health plans, and certain government programs that pay for health care, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Most Health Care Providersthose that conduct certain business electronically, such as electronically billing your health insuranceincluding most doctors, clinics, hospitals, psychologists, chiropractors, nursing homes, pharmacies, and dentists.
Health Care Clearinghousesentities that process nonstandard health information they receive from another entity into a standard (i.e., standard electronic format or data content), or vice versa.
Who Is Not Required to Follow These Laws
Many organizations that have health information about you do not have to follow these laws.
Examples of organizations that do not have to follow the Privacy and Security Rules include:
- life insurers,
- employers,
- workers compensation carriers,
- many schools and school districts,
- many state agencies like child protective service agencies,
- many law enforcement agencies,
- many municipal offices