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Patient Access to Records, Copies, and Release of Information

Sets out how patients, their representatives, and others ask for and receive copies of the clinical record and other health information: the HIPAA right of access, the Georgia 30-day rule and fee limits in O.C.G.A. §§31-33-2 and 31-33-3, the free copy within 4 business days for a Medicare-certified agency, deceased patients, refusals on health grounds, and written authorization for every release the law does not otherwise allow.

Preview: full text with a package
About this policy
Policy number
GA-HH-REC-02
Version
1.0
Main rule
O.C.G.A. §31-33-2
Library
Georgia home health · 56 policies
Category
Records
Sections
18

In short

  • Patients have the right to see and get a copy of their own record. If a patient asks you, write it down and send it to the office the same day.
  • Do not hand over records or copies yourself. The office checks who is asking and sends the copy on time.
  • If our Agency is Medicare-certified, the patient gets the copy free at the next visit or within 4 business days, whichever is first.
  • We release information to anyone else only with the patient’s written consent or when the law allows it.
  • Send any request from a lawyer, insurer, police officer, or family member to the office.

What's inside

18 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.

Full text with a package
  • Terms of Reference
  • 1. Purpose
  • 2. Scope
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Policy Statement (O.C.G.A. §31-33-2; 45 CFR §164.524; 42 CFR §484.110(e))
  • 5. Requests by the Patient or Personal Representative
  • 6. Fees
  • 7. Deceased Patients
  • 8. Refusal on Health Grounds
  • 9. Release to Others
  • 10. Procedure
  • 11. Responsibilities
  • 12. Records and Compliance Monitoring
  • 13. Staff Training
  • 14. References
  • 15. Related Policies and Forms
  • 16. Approval
  • 17. Revision History

An inspector may ask

  • A patient asked for a copy of her record last month. Show me the request, the date you received it, and the date you provided it.
  • If you are Medicare-certified, how do you make the record available free of charge at the next home visit or within 4 business days?

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