in Brief: A Digest of Healthcare Privacy Projects

Client Success

A behavioral health client with a high proportion of indigent patients needed to establish an effective way to communicate with and provide care to patients without violating the requirements of healthcare privacy rules and laws protecting the confidentiality of substance abuse information. Our attorneys created policies and procedures to address the specific communication needs, while ensuring compliance. Our client was able to contact their patients and provide the care they needed by removing previous barriers to communication.
A specialty physician group practice discovered that following the departure of one of its providers, the computer system had been compromised with the download of patient records. Our representation for this client led to the return of the records and ensured compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (HITECH). Our client was able to recoup all costs relating to this matter.
An administration services provider client sent protected health information (PHI) to the wrong recipients for a period of years. Our team assisted the client in taking steps to mitigate the risk to the protected health information and to perform a breach risk analysis. On behalf of our client, we determined and documented that no breach occurred because of the relationship of the parties and the status of the recipients.
Represented clients in health information data breaches involving thousands of patients’ medical records. Advised clients on appropriate responses and best practices to protect patient data.