HIPAA Privacy Standards Released

      The Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Resources has released another guidance form concerning HIPAA privacy regulations.  The information is reported in a question and answer format dealing with the following topics: a general overview; incidental uses and disclosures; minimum necessary; personal representatives; business associates; uses and disclosures for TPO; marketing; public health; research; workers’ compensation notice; and government access.   The new guidance form covers over 120 pages of information.  Physicians may access this information by going to the Health and Human Services’ Web site at:  http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/privacy.html .