4 ms·

> A general rule - if an insurance company isn't involved HIPAA doesn't apply. Not exactly. If you go to most any healthcare provider, and pay out-of-pocket,

> A general rule - if an insurance company isn't involved HIPAA doesn't apply. Not exactly. If you go to most any healthcare provider, and pay out-of-pocket, HIPAA still applies. More accurately, HIPAA applies to any healthcare providers who transmits any health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction covered by 45 C.F.R. §160.103. Or in other words, basically every healthcare provider is also a covered entity, unless they're completely 100% cash only and don't take insurance for anyone ever. Do these even exist? Although, still 23andMe wouldn't be covered because they're not providing healthcare services.

astura 3y ago
>basically every healthcare provider is also a covered entity, unless they're completely 100% cash only and don't take insurance for anyone ever. This is correct - I should have been more specific. If a business doesn't take insurance then HIPAA doesn't apply. Not that insurance isn't involved in a specific transaction. I've edited my GP comment to be more specific. >Do these even exist? Yes, absolutely. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/these-doctors-accept-only-cash https://www.healthline.com/health-news/these-doctors-accept-... https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/24/your-money/dealing-with-doctors-who-accept-only-cash.html https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/24/your-money/dealing-with-d... https://www.fawkeshealth.com/insights/are-cash-only-clinics-the-new-healthcare https://www.fawkeshealth.com/insights/are-cash-only-clinics-... So-called "pill mills" are almost always cash-only when they operate. There's also health centers on university campuses that are funded through student fees and don't bill insurance.