Medical Billing Forum

HIPAA => HIPAA => : mooreq January 27, 2009, 11:40:57 AM

: Paper claims HIPAA
: mooreq January 27, 2009, 11:40:57 AM
Good Morning,
I have a potential small practice who does not believe in the HIPAA act and does all their billing on paper.  I am assuming they do not deal with Medicare.  They do not have any of their patients sign the HIPAA compliance act letter.  Is this possible?  Please let me know.
Thanks,
Jacquie
: Re: Paper claims HIPAA
: Michele January 27, 2009, 03:35:25 PM
I found the following information available from the AMA:

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/435/hipaa_booklet2.pdf

According to the AMA if they have less than 10 employees and do not bill electronically then they are exempt from HIPAA standards. 

Michele
: Re: Paper claims HIPAA
: Pay_My_Claims January 28, 2009, 04:48:18 PM
Thanks for that link....wasn't looking for that information, but its good to keep on file!!!
: Re: Paper claims HIPAA
: Michele January 28, 2009, 11:06:36 PM
Sorry if I missed the question.  :(  I thought you were asking if it was possible for them to 'ignore' the HIPAA act.  If they have less than 10 employees and submit their claims on paper then yes they can.

Michele
: Re: Paper claims HIPAA
: Pay_My_Claims January 29, 2009, 12:21:59 AM
Why anyone wants to do that...I don't know.
: Re: Paper claims HIPAA
: mooreq January 29, 2009, 10:26:07 AM
Thank you.  That link was very helpful.  The doctor is a psychologist and doesn't feel anyone has a right to view, sell, use a patient's PHI for any reason and therefore does not believe in the act and will not send claims electronically.  Seems off to me but all I can do is sell her the value of her time.
Jacquie
: Re: Paper claims HIPAA
: Pay_My_Claims January 29, 2009, 12:46:38 PM
Well that explains it all.........he is a head doc *smile* Well I wish you the best!!!
: Re: Paper claims HIPAA
: Michele January 29, 2009, 10:42:57 PM
There are more than just her out there, so she's not alone.  It is different, but as long as she falls into that category she's not breaking any laws.

Michele