WCA makes free HIPAA forms available on web

WCA makes free HIPAA forms available on web

When the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) instituted its new regulations, "Standards of Privacy for Individually Identifiable Health Information," chiropractors were faced with a great many questions about how the new rules applied to them. William Martin Sloane, J.D., LL.M. (Labor), Ph.D., chair of the WCA’s Council on International Chiropractic Law.

Sloane's articles for The Chiropractic Journal ("New regulations call for changes in chiropractic practice procedures," October 2002, and "Privacy in the office: Are you a 'covered entity'?," Dec. 2002) contained a wealth of information and advice, as did Dr. Jeffrey Shay's recent column ("In search of HIPAA," March 2003). 

Among its many requirements, the rules call for all "covered entities" to have patients sign forms detailing their D.C.'s compliance with privacy requirements and records handling. 

Unfortunately the government has not provided the forms that are needed in order to comply with the regulations.  Indeed it would be difficult for them to do so, as each office is different and there is no “one size fits all” document that would be appropriate for all chiropractors. There are some basic principles that can be outlined, however, in what might be called “starter forms” that should give D.C.s a basis from which to begin.  WCA has prepared four of the most basic forms and has decided to furnish them to all readers of TCJ."The WCA wants to do whatever it can to help doctors in their practices, and we are pleased to make these forms available through our website," said Terry A. Rondberg, D.C., WCA president. 

The forms prepared by the WCA include: 

** Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Information for Purposes Requested by Chiropractor

 ** Business Associate Agreement

 ** Consent for Purposes of Treatment, Payment & Healthcare Operations

 ** Notice of Privacy Practices

 The forms can be downloaded as .pdf or Microsoft Word files and printed as needed.

Here are some important points to bear in mind:  (1)  Neither the author of these forms nor the WCA is engaged in the practice of law by preparing or printing this form.  No standard form is a proper substitute for professional legal advice from an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction.

(2)  Some states have privacy laws in additional to the federal HIPAA.  This may require some adaptation of forms that are designed solely for HIPAA compliance.  This is another reason to take any form to a lawyer in your state to have it reviewed before using it in your office.

(3)  What we are furnishing are merely examples of the kinds of forms that may be used under HIPAA.  A certain amount of flexibility is allowed in terms of addressing your particular office procedures.  These forms may be modified accordingly with proper legal advice.