When a fraud investigator demands records

Can the government demand access to health records usually protected under HIPAA to investigate healthcare fraud?

Yes. The HIPAA privacy rule permits you to disclose records to government health oversight agencies for audits and investigations. You may also release records to such agencies without patient authorization for civil and criminal investigations and licensure or disciplinary hearings.

Send your practice management questions to: PMQA Editor, Medical Economics, 123 Tice Blvd., Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677-7664, or send an e-mail to mepractice@advanstar.com (please include your regular postal address).