What Happens if a Patient Refuses to Sign the HIPAA Form?
By Olivia Wann
The law requires that we ask the patient to acknowledge receipt of the Notice of Privacy Practices. The law does not require the patient to sign the “acknowledgment of receipt of the notice.” Signing does not mean that the patient agreed to any special uses or disclosures of the patient’s records. Refusing to sign the acknowledgement does not prevent you from using or disclosing health information as HIPAA permits.
HIPAA’s Privacy Rule permits a covered entity to use and disclose protected health information, with certain limits and protections, for treatment, payment, and health care operations activities.
The Office of Civil Rights is considering a number of changes to be released this year. One of those changes is to remove the requirement to obtain written confirmation of receipt of the organization’s Notice of Privacy Practices. Once this is in effect, our office will notify you.
Read more here: https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/document/notice-privacy-practices
