Increase Font Size      Decrease Font Size

OnTime4U's appointment reminder service is fully HIPAA compliant. We do not accept or maintain PHI (Personal Health Information) as part of our appointment reminder service. OnTime4U does not share information with other companies. Appointment reminder information is deleted from our database after the reminder message has been delivered.

 

Yes. According to the Health and Human Services website, appointment reminders are considered part of treatment of an individual and, therefore, can be made without an authorization.
Reference the following link: http://www.hhs.gov/hipaafaq/providers/smaller/286.html.

Yes. The HIPAA Privacy Rule permits health care providers to communicate with patients regarding their health care. This includes communicating with patients at their homes, whether through the mail or by phone or in some other manner. In addition, the Rule does not prohibit covered entities from leaving messages for patients on their answering machines. However, to reasonably safeguard the individual's privacy, covered entities should take care to limit the amount of information disclosed on the answering machine. For example, a covered entity might want to consider leaving only its name and number and other information necessary to confirm an appointment, or ask the individual to call back.

A covered entity also may leave a message with a family member or other person who answers the phone when the patient is not home. The Privacy Rule permits covered entities to disclose limited information to family members, friends, or other persons regarding an individual's care, even when the individual is not present. However, covered entities should use professional judgment to assure that such disclosures are in the best interest of the individual and limit the information disclosed. See 45 CFR 164.510(b)(3).

In situations where a patient has requested that the covered entity communicate with him in a confidential manner, such as by alternative means or at an alternative location, the covered entity must accommodate that request, if reasonable. For example, the Department considers a request to receive mailings from the covered entity in a closed envelope rather than by postcard to be a reasonable request that should be accommodated. Similarly, a request to receive mail from the covered entity at a post office box rather than at home, or to receive calls at the office rather than at home are also considered to be reasonable requests, absent extenuating circumstances. See 45 CFR 164.522(b).

Reference this link: http://www.hhs.gov/hipaafaq/providers/smaller/198.html