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General Category => General Questions => : nlbarnes64 February 11, 2014, 03:38:30 PM

: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: nlbarnes64 February 11, 2014, 03:38:30 PM
I'm looking for a reference where it is mandatory to black out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's before mailing them out to a secondary payer.  I know it's PHI under HIPAA but I need something to show.
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: PMRNC February 11, 2014, 04:16:52 PM
It's called De-identifying.. why do you need to show it is necessary? Sort of common sense under HIPAA.  Not a big deal to black out info and make sure you copy the EOB for each of the other patient files.
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: nlbarnes64 February 11, 2014, 04:45:41 PM
I've got people that don't believe me.
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: DMK February 11, 2014, 05:00:18 PM
Remind them that the ID# for Medicare patients is their Social, you can't just share that info with anyone and everyone.  It must be ONLY for THAT patient.  So any other ID #s must be blacked out.
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: nlbarnes64 February 11, 2014, 05:02:25 PM
I hear you.  By the way, do you send the last page of the eob with all of your secondary claims?  The page with the explanation codes.  I haven't in the 27 years I've been doing this.  One time, a payer wanted it.  It's being done here and I feel it's such a waste.
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: PMRNC February 11, 2014, 06:30:43 PM
If there are denials or remarks I do send it.
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: shanbull February 11, 2014, 06:46:10 PM
I hear you.  By the way, do you send the last page of the eob with all of your secondary claims?  The page with the explanation codes.  I haven't in the 27 years I've been doing this.  One time, a payer wanted it.  It's being done here and I feel it's such a waste.

No, I'm curious as to why that would be necessary. Don't most insurers use the same remit codes these days?
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: RichardP February 11, 2014, 07:15:30 PM
I'm looking for a reference where it is mandatory to black out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's before mailing them out to a secondary payer.  I know it's PHI under HIPAA but I need something to show.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/privacysummary.pdf

See bottom of Page 3 (Page numbers are at bottom of page).  This is the bottom of the fifth page of the PDF file.  Starts with:

Protected Health Information:  The Privacy Rule protects all "individually identifiable health information" held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate, in any form or media, whether electronic, paper, or oral. The Privacy Rule calls this information "protected health information (PHI)."

This is dated 2003.  I'm sure there are more recent iterations of the Privacy Rule, but I found this first.
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: nlbarnes64 February 11, 2014, 08:05:29 PM
Thank you...
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: Merry February 11, 2014, 08:12:19 PM
I remember Michele noting somewhere in the forum that certain pens do not really "black out" the data and can be seen when a copy is made. I am sure she will pop in here and see this.

Merry
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: nlbarnes64 February 11, 2014, 08:14:32 PM
They do not block out the info entirely.  I copy them after I black them out.  However, I didn't know we could use correction tape or white out?
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: Michele February 12, 2014, 10:28:56 AM
If there are denials or remarks I do send it.

Ditto with Linda.  I only attach if I'm submitting a denial or exclusion that the secondary should cover but they need to see the MCR eob.  They should know the remark codes but I don't rely on it.

A lot of people use Sharpies but when the Sharpie ink dries you can read through it.  If you use a Sharpie you should either re-photocopy after you black out the names, or Sharpie the back side too.  That eliminates the problem.  :)  We don't black out the names, we cover them when photocopying.  With ERAs we can simply print out only the patient we want which eliminates the need for blocking or blacking out.
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: PMRNC February 12, 2014, 12:04:31 PM
I have Black Out, I use it for a lot of things, it's good for using when you want to toss old bills in the mail and black out stuff that could be used for identity theft.   I think I got mine from Office Depot, it came with refills too.
: Re: Blacking out other patient's names on Medicare R/A's
: nlbarnes64 February 12, 2014, 01:52:43 PM
Thanks on the Black Out info....