Bill would tighten HIPAA privacy protections

Brace yourselves--HIPAA rules may be getting tougher. Two U.S. senators have introduced a bill that would change language in HIPAA to give patients more control over their protected health information. The bill, introduced by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), would make several changes that could have a significant effect on how providers work with patient data.

For example, in a substantial change to existing policy, the new bill would prohibit providers from disclosing health information without specific patient permission. Right now, health plans and providers can use medical data for treatment, payment and operations without consent. The bill would also require patients to be notified within 15 days if a data breach impacting their health information occurred, and would guarantee patients' rights to amend, destroy or segregate information data stored by a health entity.

To learn more about the bill:
- read this Health Data Management piece
- read this press release from Sen. Leahy's office

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