Does anyone else hate HIPAA?

Paula

I seem to get a different answer from everyone else I've asked this question to, so I beg for your advice. We have 90 employees, and a Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan. The only thing I do with it is new hire enrollments, enrollment changes and pay the monthly statements. So there really isn't a time when I am seeing any protected health information. BCBS told me I need to send out a privacy notice to the staff. Is this correct?

Question 2: I administer an in-house Cafeteria plan to our staff. Now in this case I believe I should be sending out a privacy notice due to the fact that I see Prescription receipts, hospital statements etc...Is this correct?

Thanks so much for any help!

jimlegal

I don't know what your regional BCBS office is doing to assist you with HIPAA compliance. However the BCBS office in the Dallas, Texas area held several HIPAA work shops providing handouts to assist with HIPAA compliance for their BCBS employer members. Due to the newness of HIPAA and my position that no one really knows yet what is required for sure, I would contact BCBS and ask for a copy of the handout provided in the work shop. I would put forth the argument that since BCBS has to comply with HIPAA, you will have to also. Thus, the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement between BCBS & your company (contract language) probably contains language that you have to comply with HIPAA and possibly follow their advice. As you are aware several HIPAA related websites are available to shed more light on this matter. I hope you find a specific answer to your situation...

scottorr

The law specifically states that any employer that offers a health plan needs to send out privacy notices. If you handle any flexible spending, disability or worker's comp. issues, they are all covered as well. I have a sample notification form if you need an example.

Cindy Hanna

Could you send me your sample notice.

e-mail [email]channa@schmitzmix.com[/email]

fax# 414-462-8812

Thank You

scottorr

I will fax you the form. I would format the info to your company.

Shawn

Most health insurance carriers are drafting those notices for all of their employers.

Cindy Hanna

Thank you

jkb

I would appreciate a copy of the notification to employee form.
Email: [email]jkbodily@aol.com[/email]
Fax #: 801-990-0326
Thanks so much for your help.

Judy

HRQ

Scottorr,

Could I bother you to fax/email me too? I really appreciate it!

[email]lbremer@sunrisepreschools.com[/email]
fax: 480/759-0118

E Wart

Could you share your form with me too? 770-981-3345 is fax, [email]ewarthen@newcombspring.com[/email] is email. Thanks,
E Wart

julie02

Could you send me your sample notice?
[email]jmaddux@glasscityfcu.com[/email] or 419-887-1099
Thank you!!

JKlink

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-07-03 AT 10:29AM (CST)[/font][p]Scott:
I beleive that workers comp is spacifically exempt from HIPAA.

Lucy

I would like a copy as well please.

Thanks!

[email]Lbeighle@alpsnet.com[/email]

KenB

Hi

Could you send me your sample notice form. It would be much appreciated. Send to [email]kbraziller@syda.org[/email] or fax 845-436-2119. Thanks.

Ken

thomas

I would love a copy of your notification form. Thanks!

[email]lpaquin@ruralresources.org[/email]
fax: 509-684-4740 (attn. Lorie Paquin)

rrhammett

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 04-08-03 AT 01:12PM (CST)[/font][p]I would like to have a sample copy of your privacy notification. My fax number is 706-882-1837 or my email is [email]hr-wdbury@mindspring.com[/email]. Thank you.

JeannieS

Please fax me a sample notice also. [email]jeannie.sheehan@ebtc.com[/email]

DeidreFR5

Could you send me a copy too? Thanks, Deidre

[email]DFountain@frfive.com[/email] or (508)677-3388

jeanj

Please send me your sample notice to [email]jean@smucker.net[/email] or fax to 888-605-4140
Thank you soooo much!

maryfmurray

Could you send me a sample notice also. my email address is [email]mmurray@rcaction.org[/email] or you may fax me @1-603-431-2916.

Thank you,

Martha

Please email me a copy of your notice to [email]skylinemartha@earthlink.net[/email].

Thank You,
Martha

szemcumo

>The law specifically states that any employer that offers a health
>plan needs to send out privacy notices. If you handle any flexible
>spending, disability or worker's comp. issues, they are all covered as
>well. I have a sample notification form if you need an example.


Would you please mail me a copy of your sample noticiation form at your convience. Thank you! Sandie

[email]szemblidge@versa-tags.com[/email]

cctsphr

Please send copy of sample notification as you posted - I seem to have misplaced e-mail infor you may have originally sent. Thanks

[email]ccthomas@mrgmail.com[/email]

markita

Scottorr
I would like to have a copy of this sample notification form also if you please.
Fax: 318-222-0730 or e-mail [email]Markita@BayouStateOil.com[/email].

Thanks again.

E Wart

Scott, I would love a copy of your letter if you will share. I have been told that W/C and LTD aren't invovled in HIPAA. (W/C has a strong lobby).
We don't have to conform until 4/1/04. I keep hoping the laws will change by then.
770-981-3345 fax, [email]ewarthen@newcombspring.com[/email] email
E Wart

jeanj

>The law specifically states that any employer that offers a health
>plan needs to send out privacy notices. If you handle any flexible
>spending, disability or worker's comp. issues, they are all covered as
>well. I have a sample notification form if you need an example.

jeanj

>The law specifically states that any employer that offers a health
>plan needs to send out privacy notices. If you handle any flexible
>spending, disability or worker's comp. issues, they are all covered as
>well. I have a sample notification form if you need an example.


Sorry I forgot to give you my email
[email]jean@smucker.net[/email]

markita

Scottorr, I would like to receive a sample of this notification also.
Fax: 318-222-0730 or e-mail [email]Markita@BayouStateOil.com[/email].
Thanks in advance for sharing.

ssims

You might want to look again, it does not apply to worker's compensation. The statue specifically excepts it.

Nevada

I would love a copy also if you don't mind. Thank you!!!
702-382-2050 or [email]lconrad@associatedreporters.com[/email]

Zanne

Paula:

Yes - I hate HIPAA also. The "Plan" needs to send out the HIPAA notice. We have seen that if it is a fully insured plan - then usually the insurance company (in your case BCBS)will do the HIPAA policy and notice. You will need a business associate agreement with them.

You are correct on your cafeteria plan. We outsourced ours and won't see any info - so we are theorizing that we don't need HIPAA for that.

I know that HIPAA does not apply to Workers' Comp. Whew! But wait a few years.

I have a sample Notice to Employees if that would help you.

Zanne