Suchismita Pahi writes: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released proposed changes to the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records regulations (45 C.F.R. Part 2) for the first time since 1987. The proposed changes address challenges that 42 C.F.R. Part 2…
Category: Healthcare
Teen confidentiality should not be breached in billing, claims processes: policy
Alyson Sulaski writes: Billing and insurance claims processes need to ensure the confidentiality of adolescents and young adults covered on their family’s health insurance plan. That is the emphasis of a new policy statement, available at https://www.adolescenthealth.org/SAHM_Main/media/Advocacy/Positions/Confidentiality-Position-Statement.pdf, from the Academy and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. When adolescents seek care for a sensitive…
The right to privacy and medical records
Seonaid Stevenson writes: The Outer House of the Court of Session has ruled that the right to privacy and medical confidentiality under Article 8 of the Convention entitles complainers to be heard and have legal representation before any orders are made for recovery of their medical records. Read more on UK Human Rights Blog. WF,…
Bosses Harness Big Data to Predict Which Workers Might Get Sick
Rachel Emma Silverman reports: Employee wellness firms and insurers are working with companies to mine data about the prescription drugs workers use, how they shop and even whether they vote, to predict their individual health needs and recommend treatments. Trying to stem rising health-care costs, some companies, including retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc., are paying firms…