kaiasgram wrote:In a current thread someone has expressed concern that either forum members or the owners of this site could be in violation of HIPAA regulations. Since this concern has come up on other occasions as well I wanted to post the correct information in a separate thread. To be subject to HIPAA laws one has to meet the definition of a
covered entity:
Covered entities are defined in the HIPAA rules as (1) health plans, (2) health care clearinghouses, and (3) health care providers who electronically transmit any health information
in connection with transactions for which HHS has adopted standards. By transactions they refer to electronic billing for services. In other words, one must be acting in their professional capacity as a health care provider AND transmitting health information as part of a process of electronic billing.
Here's a good visual from the CMS.gov website:
Please do not misquote me.
I expressed no concern that forum members [in general or in particular] could be in violation of HIPAA regulations.
I expressed no concern that the owners of this site could be in violation of HIPAA regulations.
I did say: "I wonder about HIPPA violations also but I am not sure about this?????"
I did say "I am just saying HIPPA has crossed my mind as something to think about."
I did say "Clearly therapeutic relationships are developing and diagnoses have been alluded to by forum members. Someone sent Enchanter an Ambien, may or may not have been someone on this forum, the sender likely now knows his name."
When communicating through social media I become concerned when there is dialogue between someone and a possible healthcare professional that leads to that someone becoming personally identifiable on the site. The person can provide all the personal information they would like, even their social security number, but the professional needs to be careful what they add. HIPPA is extremely complex. Even with the one page you have provided and the 9 pages I am now providing there is much much more to know. HIPPA is something to think about if you are a health care professional contributing to a blog, a forum, facebook, twitter, etc.
Go to or google : Covered Entity Charts - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ...
to find the complete set of "visuals" . There are another 9 pages. Within the 10 pages you will find some definition of terms.
