Workers' comp exempt from HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA’s) privacy regulations go into effect April 14. However, the act exempts workers’ compensation programs from its regulations.

The act ensures medical information generally remains private, unless patients sign a waiver allowing providers to share their medical records. HIPAA’s regulations define covered entities as health plans, health-care clearinghouses and health-care providers. BWC, its managed care organizations (MCOs) and self-insuring employers’ workers’ compensation programs are not considered covered entities.

"BWC has worked closely with provider associations to help get the word out to the health-care community that they can continue submitting the same information to us and to MCOs and self-insuring employers," stated BWC Administrator/CEO James Conrad. "We have to ensure medical information is received from providers in a timely manner so we can continue to give Ohio’s injured workers the care they need quickly and continue to pay providers’ bills promptly."

For more information on HIPAA and how it affects workers’ compensation, please review the BWC fact sheets below.

Related links
Workers' compensation and HIPAA
Forms and Health Information Requested Under HIPAA