HIPAA Help

The HIPAA privacy rule enforcement date is April 14, 2003. To help members understand and comply with the rule, APA has developed educational information posted on its Web site at www.psych.org/pub_pol_adv/hipaa/index.cfm. Among the items are “Guidelines for Minimum Necessary Disclosures to Third Party Payers for Psychiatric Treatment,” “Psychotherapy Notes Provision of HIPAA Privacy Rule,” and “Documentation of Psychotherapy by Psychiatrists.” Members who do not have Internet access may request copies from Linda Hughes at (202) 682-6227. APA’s Committee on Confidentiality will continue to develop materials for this Web site, according to chair Margo Goldman, M.D.

Note that the deadline to request an extension to comply with the electronic transaction standards for filing Medicare claims is October 15. More information on the electronic transaction regulation is posted on the APA Web site at www.psych.org/pub_pol_adv/hipaa/transact_reg.cfm.