The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is designed to balance privacy, efficiency, and quality. A covered entity generally does not need your permission to share your protected health information (PHI) with another covered entity for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, commonly referred to as TPO. For example, a doctor will generally not ask your permission before:
- Sending your records to a second doctor for a second opinion (treatment);
- Consulting with another health care provider regarding your medical status (treatment);
- Asking TRICARE for reimbursement for the services you received (payment);
- Sharing medical services provided for coverage and justification of charges (payment);
- Reviewing your records to conduct MHS provider training programs, including certification and licensing (health care operations); and
- Reviewing your records to see if your doctor followed protocol (health care operations).
However, HIPAA does give you the right to:
- Learn how the Military Health System (MHS) will use and disclose your PHI;
- Request to limit who can access your PHI;
- Find out when a covered entity discloses your PHI to others;
- Request to view and receive a copy of your PHI; and
- Request to amend your PHI if incorrect or incomplete.
HIPAA also requires the MHS to:
- Make sure your PHI is stored securely if maintained electronically;
- Make sure your PHI is available when you need healthcare; and
- Notify you if your PHI is lost or stolen.
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Policy
The HIPAA Compliant Business Associate Agreement complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy, Security, Breach and Enforcement Rules (HIPAA Rules).
Form/Template
11/3/2014
The Health Information Privacy HIPAA Complaint Form is used by DHA to proceed with a complaint. DHA uses the information provided to determine if DHA has jurisdiction and, if so, how to process your complaint.
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Fact Sheet
5/14/2014
This document represents an updated mapping of the HIPAA Security Rule to select DoD policies and IA controls. It does not constitute the rendering of legal advice or an exhaustive list of all possible mappings of the Security Rule to DoD policies or IA controls. The document is intended to provide general information and to allow different departments and components to customize the mapping according to their security policies.
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Policy
This MOU establishes a framework governing inter-Departmental transfer of PIII/PHI of beneficiaries who receive health care and/or other benefits from either Department. This MOU revises the MOU on "Defining Data-Sharing Between the Departments," executed in May and June of 2005.
Form/Template
10/1/2013
The MHS Notice of Privacy Practices (NoPP) describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. This form serves as an acknowledgement to patients and beneficiaries that they have received the MHS NoPP. The template is sized to scale and can be reproduced locally on Avery Label #5163, 5263, 2163, 5923, 5963 (size: 2 inches x 4 inches).
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Last Updated: March 20, 2019