Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer asked the government to waive HIPAA regulations for the current situation, and President Obama issued a Section 1135 waiver of HIPPA after declaring the city a national emergency area.
However, healthcare attorney Ann Bittinger, JD, of Orlando-based The Bittinger Law Firm, argued HIPAA permits the release of pertinent information in circumstances like this, such as terrorist attacks or national emergencies.
Thus, Ms. Bittinger commented that no HIPAA waiver was necessary in the situation. “HIPAA allows hospitals to release information on incapacitated individuals’ location, general condition or death,” said Ms. Bittinger.
HIPAA allows the release of this limited information to family members, friends or other people the provider deems appropriate in the situation.
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