How can HIPAA privacy law be used to protect sensitive dental case information from insurance entities?
By exercising the patient’s right under HIPAA to restrict disclosure of protected health information to specific entities, including dental insurance carriers, for designated cases. HIPAA privacy provisions allow patients to request that their health information not be shared with particular third parties under specific conditions. For complex cases where the doctor and patient agree that the insurance contract’s fee schedule does not support the work that needs to be done, exercising the privacy right keeps the case off the insurance carrier’s view and allows the practice and patient to operate outside the contracted fee structure. Implementing the approach requires careful legal setup with the help of a local attorney, since HIPAA is federal but state-level dental laws and contracts vary. Templates exist through formal training programs but should be conformed to the practice’s specific jurisdiction. The conversation with the patient needs to be honest leadership-based explanation of why the privacy approach is being used. A discount may also accompany the arrangement. Done properly, it serves both patient and practice ethically.
If the answers you are finding here resonate with you, my team and I work with a small group of clients each year. The next step is a complimentary Discovery Consultation and Practice Review with Dr. McAnally.