HIPAA Q&A

Sep 22, 2005 12:33 PM

What is HIPAA?

HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The privacy portion of this law safeguards the confidentiality of our members’ and dependents’ protected health information (PHI).

What is protected health information (PHI)?

PHI is individually identifiable health information:

• To or from a healthcare provider, health plan or clearinghouse.
• Information that might identify the person or relate to an individual’s physical or mental health.

How will this law affect my dealings with the Welfare Fund?

You will be asked for four identifiers when you call:

• your name
• Social Security number
• home address
• date of birth.

Will I be able to get health information concerning my dependent(s)?

If your child is a minor, we can in most cases discuss your question. However, we cannot discuss information about your spouse or children over the age of 18. In order for us to do so we will need a Personal Representative Authorization Form [see illustration], which is available on our Web site or by calling the Welfare Fund Hotline.

If your child is going to college, see Related Stories below

What if I ask a union representative to help me in dealing with problems concerning the Welfare Fund or a health insurance company?

Along with the information you give them, you should also sign a PHI Authorization Form. This allows us to discuss problems with outside agencies or your UFT representative.

If I have any complaints and feel my personal health information has been compromised, what should I do?

Send all complaints with documentation to: Robert Burwick, UFT Welfare Fund, 52 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10004.