We have just reviewed in some detail the required notice to the patient and its surrounding rules. We will not repeat this analysis, but we will make a few additional points. Remember you must post in your office the Notice of uses and disclosures you may make of PHI and give the packet to each patient. Even if your state requires written consent to release any information (remember, you need to check your local and state rules) you must get the patient to sign the acknowledgement form and file this in the patient’s chart or file a statement in the patient’s chart that the patient refused to sign the acknowledgement form.
Remember, the acknowledgement of notice form is not an authorization or consent form. If your state law requires written consent for release of PHI, you must comply with that rule. Also, giving the patient the form and getting the acknowledgement signature is only recognition that you gave the patient the form and is not the patient’s agreement to abide by your policies and procedures.
Written notice (just reviewed) of uses you might make of PHI
Get patient signature
Note patient refusal to sign in patient chart
Not a consent form
Retroactive to information already in medical record
If your state requires signed consent, follow their rules
