Q&A: HIPAA Privacy Rules

Answers are provided by Christine A. Williams

Welcome to the column!

In this column, employers and group health plan administrators are encouraged to ask questions about HIPAA privacy compliance, including documentation requirements, plan amendment requirements, and operational and implementation issues.

Answers are provided by attorney Christine A. Williams. Ms. Williams is a Member of Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC in Baltimore, Maryland (www.gfrlaw.com). She is a co-author of ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans, published by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA), and is an instructor at EBIA's ERISA compliance seminars.

Answers are provided as general guidance on the subjects covered in the questions, and do not constitute legal advice upon which the questioner or others may rely. Any legal issues should be reviewed by your legal counsel to apply the law to the particular facts of your situation.

Q&A 6: Is Enrollment Information PHI?: May 12, 2003
Q&A 5: Excuse for Return to Work: May 12, 2003
Q&A 4: Disclosures to IT Outsourcing Organization: May 12, 2003
Q&A 3: HIPAA Privacy and Employee Welfare Benefit Plans: April 13, 2003
Q&A 2: HIPAA Privacy Notices and Self-Insured Plans: April 13, 2003
Q&A 1: To Whom Do HIPAA Privacy Rules Apply, and When?: April 4, 2003

Important notice: Answers are provided as general guidance on the subjects covered in the question and are not provided as legal advice to the questioner's situation. Any legal issues should be reviewed by your legal counsel to apply the law to the particular facts of your situation. The laws, regulations and court decisions in this area change frequently. Answers are believed to be correct as of the posting dates shown. The completeness or accuracy of a particular answer may be affected by changes in the laws, regulations or court decisions that occur after the date on which that Q&A is posted.