Title: Explain confidentiality and its connection to HIPAA.
Course: Medical Coding and Billing I (14151-III) > Section: Identifying Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare 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, imaging and other test reports)
- methods for storing information to ensure privacy
- the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality at all times
- the need to inform patients of their right to privacy
- the role of HIPAA in legally mandating patient privacy across the United States
- how to identify covered entities under HIPAA (i.e., physician offices, hospitals, providers, health insurances companies, healthcare clearing house).

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?
- What are covered entities under HIPAA? What is not a covered entity?
- What is a non-public facing remote communication product?
- Where can health care providers conduct telehealth?