Significant changes in the application of HIPAA to the correctional health care environment have led to confusion about how the law applies and what corrections-specific exemptions exist. This presentation reviews the changes in HIPAA since its inception and examines the current applicability to corrections. Participants will receive advice about the safest practices when faced with requests for patients' protected health information.

Educational Objectives:

• Review changes in HIPAA legislation as it relates to corrections
• Discuss the need to obtain a HIPAA-compliant signed authorization before releasing patient information
• Express how to handle requests for protected health information, either from a patient or from an outside party such as an attorney

Level: Intermediate