Latest news with #patientrights
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
New Resource from NYC Medical Malpractice Attorney Jonathan C. Reiter Now Available
06/01/2025, New York City, NY // PRODIGY: Feature Story // In a healthcare system where medical errors rank as the third leading cause of death in America, acclaimed NYC trial attorney Jonathan C. Reiter is jolting listeners from passive acceptance to active vigilance with his groundbreaking new podcast series, " Understanding Medical Malpractice and Its Impact. ' The podcast transforms listeners' mental state from relaxed inattention to focused engagement, delivering critical insights for patients navigating the aftermath of medical negligence – from recognizing when standards of care have been breached to understanding the complex legal landscape of pursuing justice. 'Most patients don't realize they're victims of malpractice until it's almost too late to take action,' says Reiter, whose decades of experience have secured millions in compensation for victims of medical negligence. 'This podcast bridges the knowledge gap that exists between medical professionals and the patients they serve.' The debut episode explores the shocking prevalence of preventable medical errors, including surgical mistakes, misdiagnosis, birth injuries, and medication errors. Reiter provides listeners with a comprehensive framework for identifying potential malpractice and outlines the critical steps patients should take immediately following suspected negligence. 'Understanding the statute of limitations is crucial,' Reiter emphasizes. 'In New York, patients typically have just 2.5 years from the date of malpractice to file a lawsuit, but many victims spend much of that time simply trying to understand what happened to them.' Future episodes will feature interviews with medical experts, patient advocates, and survivors of medical negligence, creating a multifaceted resource for patients and their families. The podcast also examines the broader impact of medical malpractice on the healthcare system and explores potential reforms. With his characteristic clarity and compassion, Reiter transforms complex legal concepts into accessible guidance for listeners. The podcast serves as a natural extension of his commitment to patient advocacy and healthcare accountability. 'Understanding Medical Malpractice and Its Impact' is available now on the website here. About Jonathan C. Reiter Jonathan C. Reiter is a prominent New York City medical malpractice and personal injury attorney. With over 30 years of experience, he has established himself as one of NYC's premier legal advocates for victims of medical negligence. His firm, the Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm, PLLC, has secured substantial verdicts and settlements for clients affected by medical errors, helping them rebuild their lives after devastating injuries. Media Contact: Jonathan C. Reiter Law Firm, PLLC T: 212-736-0979 Source published by Submit Press Release >> New Resource from NYC Medical Malpractice Attorney Jonathan C. Reiter Now Available
Medical News Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Medical News Today
HIPAA rights: What they are, who they apply to, and more
What are they? Who must follow them? Who does not? FAQ Summary The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects patient health information and provides individuals with rights to control the use and disclosure of their health information. The United States enacted HIPAA in 1996. HIPAA applies to organizations, healthcare professionals, and insurers who handle patient data. This article looks at HIPAA rights, who must follow HIPAA regulations, and which information HIPAA protects. FreshSplash/Getty Images HIPAA rights are federal laws that protect a person's privacy and security in relation to their health information. The Right to Access allows people to access their protected health information (PHI). Healthcare professionals must provide individuals access to their PHI within 30 days of requesting it. People can also request an electronic or hard copy of the information. The Right to Access includes all health-related information, except information that a healthcare professional collects for legal purposes or psychotherapy notes. An individual can request a change to their PHI if they believe their health information is incomplete or inaccurate. The covered entity must respond to the request for amendment within 60 days of receiving the request. A covered entity refers to a healthcare professional or organization that handles patient data and is required to follow HIPAA regulations. An individual has the Right to Request Restrictions on the use and disclosure of their PHI. This includes: disclosure to people involved in an individual's healthcare or billing disclosure to notify others, such as family members, of a person's condition, location, or death If covered entities agree to the request, they must follow the restrictions, except when treating someone in a medical emergency. Covered entities have no obligation to agree to restriction requests. They have a right to request an alternative method of communication to the one that the covered entity may typically use. People can also request a certain address for receiving communication. Accounting of Disclosures is a record detailing why and when a covered entity disclosed a person's PHI, which people have a right to access. Covered entities do not need to account for disclosures for healthcare operations, treatment, or payment. Covered entities must keep accounting of disclosure records for six years. A covered entity must receive written authorization from the individual to use or disclose any PHI that is not for healthca re operations, treatment, or payment purposes. An individual has the right to revoke their authorization of the use or disclosure of their PHI at any time. People must make the request in writing, which becomes effective once the covered entity receives it. The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires covered entities to provide a Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) and abide by the terms. These terms include: how the covered entity may use or disclose a person's PHI the duties of the covered entity to protect the privacy of the individual, and a description of their rights stating the right a person has to complain to the covered entity and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) if they believe there has been a violation of their privacy rights providing a point of contact for making complaints or requesting further information The following covered entities must follow HIPAA regulations: Health plans: This includes health insurance companies, company health plans, and government healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. This includes health insurance companies, company health plans, and government healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Healthcare providers: This describes providers who carry out electronic transactions, such as sending a health bill electronically. This includes most providers such as hospitals, clinics, healthcare professionals, pharmacies, and nursing homes. This describes providers who carry out electronic transactions, such as sending a health bill electronically. This includes most providers such as hospitals, clinics, healthcare professionals, pharmacies, and nursing homes. Healthcare clearinghouses: A healthcare clearinghouse is a third-party organization that processes data between entities, such as between healthcare providers and insurance companies. A healthcare clearinghouse is a third-party organization that processes data between entities, such as between healthcare providers and insurance companies. Business associates: Business associates of covered entities must also follow HIPAA regulations. Business associates are people or companies outside of the covered entity who may need to access PHI, such as lawyers, IT specialists, or billing companies. In many cases, the following organizations do not have to follow HIPAA regulations: employers schools and school districts law enforcement agencies state agencies, such as child protective services municipal offices life insurers workers compensation carriers The following information is protected under HIPAA regulations: information in a person's medical record from healthcare professionals conversations between healthcare professionals about a person's healthcare and treatment, such as between a doctor and a nurse personal information stored in a health insurer's computer system a person's billing information at a clinic most health information that a covered entity holds about an individual Under HIPAA regulations, health information is protected in the following ways: safeguards that covered entities and business associates must put in place to protect PHI and prevent improper use or disclosure of PHI covered entities must only use, disclose, or request the 'minimum necessary' information to meet the intended purpose procedures that covered entities must put in place to limit who is able to access health information covered entities must carry out training programs for employees on protecting health information Under HIPAA regulations, health information can be looked at and received for the following reasons: coordinating a person's treatment and care healthcare payments other people involved in a person's healthcare or billing, unless the person objectsensuring cleanliness, safety, and proper care in healthcare facilities public health protection, such as reporting local flu outbreaks necessary police reports, such as gunshot wounds However, an individual's health information cannot be used or shared without their written permission unless this law allows it. For example, without authorization from the individual, a provider generally cannot: give an individual's information to their employer use or share their information for marketing or advertising purposes sell their information HIPAA rights help protect the privacy and use of an individual's health information. Examples of HIPAA rights include the Right to Access, the Right to Request Amendments, and the Right to Request Restrictions. Certain covered entities must comply with HIPAA rights, such as health plans, providers, and clearinghouses. People may want to contact a healthcare professional or the HHS for more information about HIPAA rights. Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Fox News
6 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
A new law in this state bans automated insurance claim denials
As some health insurance companies have come under fire for allegedly using computer systems to shoot down claims, an Arizona law will soon make the practice illegal in the Grand Canyon State. Republican Arizona House Majority Whip Rep. Julie Willoughby sponsored the legislation, and it was recently signed into law by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. House Bill 2175 requires a physician licensed in the state to conduct an "individual review" and use "independent medical judgment" to determine whether the claim should actually be denied. It also required a similar review of "a direct denial of a prior authorization of a service" that a provider asked for and "involves medical necessity." "This law ensures that a doctor, not a computer, is making medical decisions," Willoughby said in a statement. "If care is denied, it should be by someone with the training and ethical duty to put patients first. That decision must come from a licensed physician, not an anonymous program." The law will go into effect in July 2026, so insurers will have time to be ready for the changes, if any. "Arizona families deserve real oversight when it comes to life-changing medical decisions," Willoughby said. "This law puts patients ahead of profits and restores a layer of accountability that's long overdue." The bill passed both chambers with nearly unanimous support. Several healthcare companies, like Cigna and United Healthcare, have faced accusations of using computer systems to deny claims in past years, according to ProPublica and FOX Business. Fox News Digital reached out to Hobbs' office for comment. Similar legislation was signed into law in California last year, which was dubbed the "Physicians Make Decisions Act." The lawmaker in the Golden State was specifically concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence. "Artificial intelligence has immense potential to enhance health care delivery, but it should never replace the expertise and judgment of physicians," Democratic state Sen. Josh Becker said in a December statement. "An algorithm cannot fully understand a patient's unique medical history or needs, and its misuse can lead to devastating consequences."
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sittingbourne care provider put in special measures by CQC
A care provider for people with complex and terminal illnesses in Kent has been put in special measures after the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found "serious safety risks" during an the Care, based in Sittingbourne, offers support for people in their own homes, some of whom are living with dementia and a physical CQC said it found nine breaches of regulations relating to providing safe, person-centred care and treatment when it assessed the service in the Care, which also offers training for staff at other organisations, said it was watching closely with the CQC to ensure the service meets the necessary standards. Serena Coleman, CQC deputy director of operations in the south, said in a report released on Friday that Share the Care failed to provide care that respected a person's individuality, dignity or one instance, a person wanted to miss a physiotherapy session and stay in bed, but instead of speaking with them directly, the carer asked a family member for Coleman said this undermined the person, took away their independence and made them feel like their wishes were there were serious concerns around patient safety, with two people found to have been at risk of financial abuse and another involving a person with dementia who was at risk of harm four times in one month."None of these incidents had been escalated to the local safeguarding team, despite being recorded by staff," she a result of this inspection, the CQC has rated the service as inadequate overall, and for how safe and well-led it Coleman said staff were "doing their best" but were let down by the lack of leadership, effective policies and clear processes needed to deliver high-quality effective, caring and responsive the service is has been rated as 'requires improvement'.The CQC will now monitor Share the Care to ensure people are safe whilst improvements are made."If these changes are not made swiftly and effectively, we will not hesitate to take further action," Ms Coleman Nyazika, director at Share the Care, said: "We acknowledge the findings of the CQC and take them very seriously."We accept the decision to place our service in special measures and we are committed to making rapid and lasting improvements."
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sickening questions a creepy doctor asked his female patient before he was disqualified from practicing
A Sydney doctor has been barred from seeing patients for three years after he asked a female patient about her sexual history and touched her inappropriately. A woman visited Dr Mohanadas Balasingham's general practice in Merrylands on September 5, 2020, after she missed a period and had stomach cramps. The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) heard last month that the former GP asked the patient inappropriate questions about her sexual history. This included the number of sexual partners she had been with as well as when she had first become sexually active. When she answered that she was active from the age of 15 and before being married, he reportedly smiled and said: 'So you used to go to school and do it on the way and your parents didn't know about it.' Dr Balasingham also reportedly asked the woman: 'How many boyfriends were Nepalese and how many are Australian?' The tribunal also heard the former GP performed a vaginal examination on the patient but did not obtain informed consent, or offer her a chaperone. Dr Balasingham reportedly digitally penetrated the woman and touched her for five to six seconds after her pregnancy test came back negative. The tribunal heard Dr Balasingham was trying to determine if the woman had an ectopic pregnancy, but that he should have instructed her to present at an emergency department instead of performing the vaginal examination. The woman said the exam did not feel 'normal or appropriate'. She left the medical practice with her partner and was crying by the time she reached the car. She made a complaint to the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) two days later which was heard by NCAT in 2023. During the case, it was also alleged that Dr Balasingham failed to appropriately monitor another patient's anti-depressant medication between 2019 and 2021. Dr Balasingham was found guilty of both unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct on November 28, 2023. The former GP has denied the conduct alleged during the tribunal. Daily Mail Australia has contacted his lawyers for comment. Dr Balasingham filed an application when he stopped work which sought 'AUD $20million as compensation'. In the document, he alleged the tribunal were biased, the HCCC had fabricated allegations and that the woman had falsified allegations to extort money from him. The former GP was first registered as a medical practitioner in India in 1987 and then registered in NSW in 2001. He started work at Woodville Road Medical and Dental Centre in April 2019 but his registration was suspended on March 2021. The doctor was then permitted to return to practice with conditions on his registration in April 2022. Dr Balasingham stopped working in August 2024, allowing his registration to lapse and sold his practice in December. Last month, the tribunal imposed protective orders on the former GP, barring Dr Balasingham from being registered for three years.
