Title: Explain confidentiality and its connection to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Course: Vision Care Technician I (14057-I) > Section: Identifying Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care Practices

Explanation should include

- types of patient information that must be kept confidential (e.g., demographic data, medical records, test results, appointment information, financial information)
- formats of patient information that must be kept confidential (e.g., printed data, handwritten data, electronic data, X-ray and other test reports)
- how the information is stored to ensure privacy
- the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality in and away from the workplace
- the need to inform patients of their right to privacy
- the role of HIPAA in legally mandating patient privacy across the United States.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What types of patient information are considered confidential?
- What initiated the need for HIPAA? How has this legislation influenced the healthcare industry?
- What types of patient information can be released to other healthcare providers and third-party payers?