Small Privacy Rule Impact Seen
Tuesday, August 13th, 2002 Legislation & Regulation Liability Life & Health Workers' CompensationThe final medical privacy regulation released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is a good compromise for workers‘ compensation insurers, according to two insurance trade groups. Language in a preamble to the rule shields workers‘ comp insurers from its impact, according to the American Insurance Association, Washington, D.C., and the National Association of Independent Insurers, Des Plaines, Ill. The rule, published initially by HHS in December 2000 and finalized with modifications on Friday, seeks to protect the use of individually identifiable health information by health plans, health care clearinghouses, and certain health care providers, the AIA explained. In its initial form, the privacy rule did not specifically apply to workers‘ comp or other forms of property-casualty insurance.
