1. On a call back to the patient to remind them of their appointment, if there is no answer, can we leave a message on their answering machine as to when their next appointment is?
2. Are appointment reminders allowed under the HIPAA Privacy Rule without authorizations?
3. Is individual consent required prior to conducting an appointment reminder?
4. Couldn't you format the reminder message in such a manner that you were compliant? "Hello. This is Dr. Wilson's office calling to remind Susan Hope of her appointment on Wednesday, June 3 at 11:00 AM. Please call the office as soon as possible if you need to reschedule at (515) 555-7540.
5. If obtaining the consent of the patient to use this service at the time of the first visit is the health care provider open to liability if a reminder call about the appointment is made prior to the first visit when the consent would be obtained?
6. Would an automated physician appointment reminder service be considered a business partner requiring HIPAA regulation? If so would a physician or health care provider need to obtain patient consent before releasing appointment information for automated reminder calls, keeping in mind that there is no full proof way to ensure the person answering the call or receiving the message is the patient?