Question

Mr. Rogers, a letter carrier for the US Postal Service, is being seen in the healthcare facility because he was bitten on the ankle by a Yorkshire terrier, and the ankle has become infected. Mr. Rogers’s provider and medical assistant are discussing the patient’s condition and history outside the examination room. Mr. Edelman is heading toward the reception desk. He overhears the entire conversation, including the somewhat embarrassing story of how Mr. Rogers lost a fingertip 8 years ago after offering a leftover chicken nugget to a cocker spaniel on his route. Have the provider, and medical assistant violated the HIPAA Privacy Rule? Discuss.

Answer 1

Yes, they have violated HIPAA.

Step-by-step explanation:

Yes, the provider and medical assistant violated the HIPAA Privacy Rule by discussing Mr. Rogers’s condition and history outside the examination room where other people could overhear them. The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires covered entities to protect the privacy of PHI (Protected Health Information). If you believe that a HIPAA-covered entity or its business associate violated your (or someone else’s) health information privacy rights or committed another violation of the Privacy, Security, or Breach Notification Rules, you may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).