Weird Medicine Forum: HIPPAA Violation?

[Sinestro]

Does this violate HIPPA???

[jauble]

Does this violate HIPPA???

He is not their practicing physician and there is the option of emailing him at drsteve202@gmail.com and you can ask that its not posted. He is just offering advice and always says to check with your regular dr. or a specialist.

[JPMNICK]

Does this violate HIPPA???

what are you a medical NARC

[Dr Steve]

Does this violate HIPPA???

It's an interesting question. It doesn't, actually. It WOULD, if I took confidential patient information and posted it to this forum. It's one of the reasons I can't tell funny stories about patients I've seen in my practice here or on the air. It's too bad, too, because I have a million of 'em.

This is from the Pew Report (http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/33/press_release.asp):

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations recently issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provide the first-ever legal protections to some kinds of health-related information. However, the rules only apply to Web sites that are run by health care providers such as a hospital or doctor''s office; health insurance plans such as Aetna U.S. Healthcare or Kaiser Permanente; or health care clearinghouses that process health insurance claims information in a uniform format for providers and insurers, such as WebMD Office.

The vast majority of health Web sites are not operated by such firms and that means that there will be no federal protections for those who use them.

[led37zep]

As long as it doesn't violate HIPPO I think I'm ok with it.