NAMI to host talk on HIPAA

NEWTON — On Wednesday, June 14, the Sussex County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will welcome Phil Lubitz, MSW, Associate Director of NAMI New Jersey, as the guest speaker at its June meeting.
Lubitz will explain and answer questions about the Federal privacy regulations health care providers are required to follow, commonly known as HIPAA. The meeting will be held at Bridgeway, 93 Stickles Pond Rd. in Newton from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
HIPAA is an acronym that stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a U.S. law designed to provide privacy standards to protect patients' medical records and other health information provided to health plans, doctors, hospitals and other health care providers.
Lubitz aims to dispel some misconceptions about HIPAA.
“There is much confusion about what personal health information can be shared with family, friends, or other caregivers without the written consent of the patient. HIPAA actually gives health care professionals the leeway to use their professional judgment when they believe sharing information is in the best interest of the patient,” he explains.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the NAMI Sussex meeting free of charge. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information about NAMI Sussex's free programs and support groups, visit www.nami-sussex-nj.org or call 973-214-0632.