July 24, 2006—The Department of Health and Human Services recently published a Web-based interactive decision tool designed to assist emergency preparedness and recovery planners in determining how to access and use health information about persons with disabilities consistent with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 Privacy Rule.
The tool will guide planners through a series of questions regarding how the HIPAA Privacy Rule applies to a particular disclosure. By helping users focus on the source of the information being disclosed, to whom it is being disclosed and for what purpose, users will better meet the needs of the elderly or persons with disabilities in the event of an evacuation.
While the tool’s initial purpose focused on emergency planning for persons with disabilities, it is applicable to most emergency planning efforts, HHS said. For more information, see the HHS Web site.
