If identifiers are removed, the health information is referred to as de-identified PHI. However, most Notices of Privacy Practices already contain more information than most patients are prepared to read; and, as will become evident in later sections of this article, explaining what is covered under HIPAA and what is not will likely raise more questions than answers for patients wishing to exercise their Privacy Rule rights. The following 18 HIPAA identifiers will qualify as PHI if included in any written or electronic document or spoken conversation: Names. HIPAA should not be used as an excuse to deny rights to LGBTQ patients. 1. WebThe core legal obligations of States with respect to protecting the human rights of LGBT people include obligations to: Protect individuals from homophobic and transphobic violence; Prevent torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; Repeal laws criminalizing same sex relations and transgender people WebThe law forbids sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. Under Executive Order 11246 and its implementing regulations, federal contracting agencies must include sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited bases of discrimination in the Equal Opportunity Clause in federal contracts. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 1, 383-397. doi:10.1037/sgd0000067, National Alliance to End Homelessness. LGBTQhomeless youth are 62 percent more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts, and they are at greater risk for sexual abuse, exploitation, sexual violence and drug abuse (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2009). LGBT and LGBT-friendly fraternities and sororities The following 18 HIPAA identifiers will qualify as PHI if included in any written or electronic document or spoken conversation: Privacy SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY Disclosing Your Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity 2. Disclosing Your Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity No permission required:> In a variety of other circumstances, a healthcare provider may disclose information about a patient without the patients consent. Sexual orientation and gender identity. To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below. The federal privacy rules create certain protections against the disclosure of private information about patients, but those protections are not absolute. People under the transgender umbrella may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms including transgender or nonbinary. From LGBT-friendly hotels, bookstores and attractions to anonymous HIV testing sites, find out more about what NYC has to offer you. Our community faces numerous health disparities, including higher rates of drug and alcohol use. BISEXUAL OCR has issued a FAQ explaining that, under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, disclosures to a loved one who is not married to the patient or is not otherwise recognized as a relative of the patient under applicable law generally are permitted under the same circumstances and conditions as disclosures to a spouse or other person who is recognized as a relative under applicable law. Thus, SES is inherently related to the rights, quality of life, and general well-being of LGBTQ persons. (2015, July 16). People who are transgender or gender diverse include: Those who have a gender identity that differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. WebHIPAA Identifiers. endstream endobj startxref Many examples of Protected Health Information refer to the PHI identifiers listed under the safe harbor method of de-identification in 45 CFR 164.514. All covered entities and business associates are required to conduct frequent risk analyses in order to identify threats to the integrity of PHI. The 18 i dentifiers that are considered PHI are included in OHRPP Guidance & WebEvidence indicates individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBTQ) are especially susceptible to socioeconomic disadvantages. People who are transgender or gender diverse include: Those who have a gender identity that differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. Those who identify and express their gender outside of the gender binary. QUEER The definition of a family member is relevant to the application of 164.510 (b) regarding permitted uses and disclosures of PHI related to another persons involvement in an individuals care, and for making notifications about the individuals location, general condition, or death. See below for a more detailed definition of each term, from GLAADs LGBTQ Media Reference Guide. 57 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<7BDEBA77DC42DA4B991B6B17AE32E1AE>]/Index[27 58]/Info 26 0 R/Length 137/Prev 207744/Root 28 0 R/Size 85/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream In conclusion, there is no doubt that understanding what is considered Protected Health Information under HIPAA can be complicated; but, by identifying what is Protected Health Information and what isnt and knowing when protections are applied to non-health information and when they are not Covered Entities and Business Associates can accelerate the flow of information and reduce the number of unjustified complaints by patients to HSS Office for Civil Rights. Under the Privacy Rule, if a state provides legally married spouses with health care decision making authority on behalf of one another, a covered entity is required to recognize the lawful spouse of an individual as the individuals personal representative without regard to the sex of the spouses. When do medical providers have to tell patients about their privacy rights? > HIPAA Home In most cases, this should mean that the provider cannot disclose a patients sexual orientation or For as many ways as you can define family, The Center is here to provide support. Defining LGBTQIA+ - The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Youth 27 0 obj <> endobj Several factors that can help improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ young people include: Addressing LGBTQ+-related stigma, discrimination, and violence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 41, 544560. _'Q0X{rtW/Nfu/?7?6l&_j[/{V]WXbazq=8:_1~b3Z=y~r:(EOOf_?m`;zlG6WT^>}^\|{j1;WVxq1w'/g'Sto> Our career development programs are tailored to the unique needs of LGBT job-seekers. These groups are intended to provide members with access to Greek life without fear of homophobic reprisal or behavior by fellow members, resulting from a history of homophobia within longer-established organizations. WebThe law forbids sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. Copyright 2014-2023 HIPAA Journal. Visit the. Some transgender people are prescribed hormones by their doctors to bring their bodies into alignment with their gender identity. This is a 'list of LGBT and LGBT-friendly fraternities and sororities. The term spouse includes all individuals who are in lawful marriages without regard to the sex of the individuals. He is a specialist on healthcare industry legal and regulatory affairs, and has several years of experience writing about HIPAA and other related legal topics. 137 0 obj <> endobj People may experience this attraction in differing ways and degrees over their lifetime. PHI is an acronym of Protected Health Information, while PII is an acronym of Personally Identifiable Information. As an added layer of protection, legal experts advise that patients express their wishes regarding hospital visitation, medical decision-making and other health issues by completing advanced healthcare directives. Author: Steve Alder is the editor-in-chief of HIPAA Journal. Most health care providers in the U.S., including private physicians offices and hospitals, must provide each patient with a description of the patients privacy rights during the patients first doctors visit after the rules became effective in mid-April 2003. Sometimes lesbian is the preferred term for women. 5221 Paramount Parkway WebHowever, when a provider discloses information about a patient, the provider usually must try to reveal as little private information as possible. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity WebHowever, when a provider discloses information about a patient, the provider usually must try to reveal as little private information as possible. This standard defines designated record sets as a group of records maintained by or for a Covered Entity that is the medical records and billing records about individuals [] or the enrollment, payment, and claims information maintained by or for a health plan that is used in whole or in part by or for the Covered Entity to make decisions about individuals.. The Human Rights Campaign, All Rights Reserved. SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY HHS In other words, there are many situations where a patients disclosures to a doctor may not remain confidential. Get Insured - Affordable Care Act Resources for the LGBTQ Community. If the patient files a complaint with HHS, and HHS agrees that the rules have been violated, HHS may impose a fine on the provider or, in rare cases, pursue criminal charges. Youth Regulatory Changes Although the term combination is used, PHI can be a single item for example, a picture of a baby sent to a pediatrician. open to any individual who identifies as a woman, regardless of the gender assigned at birth. WebWithout this information, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients and their specific health care needs cannot be identified, the health disparities they experience cannot be addressed, and important health care services may not be delivered. The FAQ may be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/2086/does-hipaa-privacy-rule-permit-doctor-discuss-patient-s-health-status.html. In both quality and quantity, a patients description of his or her medical history can be far more important than any physical exam, laboratory tests, or other diagnostic tools in helping determine the patients health status. 20 percent of gay men and 25 percent of bisexual men 18-44 years of age are living at or below the federal level of poverty, compared to 15 percent of heterosexual men. Your Privacy Respected Please see HIPAA Journal privacy policy. This definition is followed by a footnote that explains a record can be any item, collection, or grouping of information that includes Protected Health Information and is maintained, collected, used, or disseminated by or for a Covered Entity. While this may be a little confusing to follow and likely difficult to make clear to patients unfamiliar with the terminology of HIPAA an explanation of what information is protected by HIPAA could be explained thus: This explanation of what information is protected by HIPAA can help reduce patients misunderstandings about what is considered Protected Health Information under HIPAA and reduce the volume of complaints to HHS Office for Civil Rights. PowerPoint presented at the American Psychological Association Fall Board Committee Meeting, Washington, DC. Discrimination against LGBT persons in the workplace is a significant factor in socioeconomic differences for LGBT persons (McGarrity, 2014). Consider SES in your education, practice, and research efforts. Two years later, on June 26, 2015, in Obergefell v. Hodges, the Court held that the Fourteenth Amendment requires a state to license a marriage between two people of the same sex and to recognize same-sex marriages lawfully performed in other States. Therefore, the answer to questions such as is gender a HIPAA identifier, is gender considered PHI, and is LGBTQ status considered PHI is that is can be depending on who is maintaining or transmitting the information and whether it is maintained or transmitted with health information. 0 (2012). QUESTIONING What rights do the new privacy rules grant to patients? Section 3 of DOMA had provided that federal law would recognize only opposite-sex marriages. The following fraternities and sororities have adopted LGBTQ-inclusive policies at the national or institutional level. To learn more, please read our Privacy Policy. Thus, SES is inherently related to the rights, quality of life, and general well-being of LGBTQ persons. However other federal laws exist that also protect health information in certain circumstances. Whether youre looking for a job, support with transitioning in the workplace or information on job training options, The Center can help you achieve your professional goals. TRANSGENDER We offer a range of rooms, and with the support of our Event Production & Reservations team youll be sure to find the space to meet your event needs. HIPAA protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information via the provisions of the Privacy Rule. It also generally requires covered entities to treat an individuals personal representative, who may be a spouse, as the individual, for purposes such as exercising the individuals rights under the Privacy Rule, including the right to access the individuals health information. 47 percent of transgender individuals also reported being discriminated against in hiring, firing, and promotion; over 25 percent reported they had lost a job due to discrimination on the basis of their gender identity (Grant et al., 2011). Protected Health Information Retrieved from http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/research/safe-schools-and-youth/serving-our-youth-july-2012/. > For Professionals Defining LGBTQIA+ - The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender The regulations provide protections for the privacy of certain individually identifiable health data, referred to as protected health information, and establish rules balancing patient rights with the need to protect public health. Studies indicate that between 11 percent and 45 percentof all homeless youth identify as LGBTQ(Durso & Gates, 2012; Gattis, 2009; Wells, 2009). American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 84, 66-72. doi:10.1037/h0098852, McGarrity, L. A. Cancel Any Time. The rules tell health plans and healthcare providers when they can and cannot disclose private information about a patient, and, in some cases, when they must disclose that information. 4QyIyYEe]JQZ]Q)= TLFZU%b\2Z;~;9z=_+z>klyW'OOg}^?~=]^nZc(NP Because information about a patients sexual orientation and gender identity is often very relevant and sometimes absolutely crucial to the provision of healthcare, it is protected by the federal privacy rules as well. American Journal of Public Health, 103, 881-888. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.301040. For example, HIPAA laws protect health information relating to an individuals past, present, or future physical or mental health condition, treatment for the condition, and payment for treatment. %PDF-1.6 % Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 19, 1066-1094. doi:10.1080/10911350902990478. This is interesting because HIPAA defines health information as above but would appear to state it is HIPAA information when created or received by a health care provider, health plan, public health authority, employer, life insurer, school or university, or health care clearinghouse. Status Mayo Clinic US EEOC Among women 18-44 years of age, 29 percent of bisexual women and 23 percent of lesbians are living in poverty, compared to 21 percent of their heterosexual counterparts. Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Information Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Information www.hipaadvisory.com Find the ideal event and meeting space at The Center! For example, [emailprotected], Stillwater MN, and auto registration AYP 197 are not included in PHI when they are not maintained with health information. All geographical subdivisions smaller than a State, including street address, city, county, precinct, zip code, and their equivalent geocodes. $("#wpforms-form-28602 .wpforms-submit-container").appendTo(".submit-placement"); Additionally, any information maintained in the same designated record set as the individually identifiable health information that could be used to identify the individual is also protected. LESBIAN PHI is an acronym of Protected Health Information, while PII is an acronym of Personally Identifiable Information. LGBT fraternities and sororities have existed since the 1980s, with Delta Phi Upsilon being established in 1985 and Delta Lambda Phi in 1986. WebThe law forbids sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, and any other term or condition of employment. LGBTQyouth experience homelessness at a disproportionate rate. HITECH News Intersex people are assigned a sex at birth either male or female and that decision by medical providers and parents may not match the gender identity of the child. Socioeconomic status as context for minority stress and health disparities among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. HIPAA is a 1996 federal law that is intended to improve the portability and continuity of health insurance coverage and to establish national health information privacy standards. INTERSEX U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
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