Washington

The first guidance on the privacy regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act has been released by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights.

Presented in a “frequently asked questions” format, the clarification is the first of several technical assistance materials HHS plans to issue, according to industry officials.

According to the American Association for Homecare, HHS is considering proposing formal revisions to HIPAA, which providers must be in compliance with by April 14, 2003. Association officials are hopeful that the current requirement to obtain patient consent prior to developing a plan of care or delivering or fitting a patient for equipment will be among those revised. The provision would result in a delay of patient care, AAHomecare said.

According to the association, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson will propose modifications to remedy the provision.

For more information on HIPAA, see the article on Page 47.

For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.