DGS Partner Erin McAlpin Eiselein Pens Book on HIPAA Privacy Rule

DENVER – OCTOBER 7, 2013 – Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP partner Erin McAlpin Eiselein has authored a book entitled HIPAA Privacy Rule Policy and Procedure Manual for Mental Health Practitioners in Colorado. The book provides an overview and in-depth discussion of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, including the regulatory changes made in the HIPAA Final Rule enacted earlier this year. In addition to providing guidance on how HIPAA applies to mental health practices in Colorado, the book also includes an appendix of forms that practitioners can use to help meet their compliance obligations.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule states that an individual’s health information cannot be used internally or disclosed to others without the individual’s permission, unless there is a specific regulatory exception. However, as the book details, there are significant exceptions in the regulations. Now that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has made HIPAA enforcement a priority, mental health providers should ensure that their compliance programs are up to date to avoid costly and time consuming HIPAA violations.

The manual, which was written for private mental health practitioners who are practicing in the State of Colorado, is available for sale from Amazon.

Ms. Eiselein is a partner in the health law group at DGS. Her practice consists of counseling and dispute resolution, and she has particular expertise in patient privacy matters, including HIPAA and other state and federal patient confidentiality laws. Ms. Eiselein routinely assists clients on compliance and contractual matters, ensuring that they do not run afoul of the myriad of laws and regulations governing the health care industry. Ms. Eiselein has been named a Colorado Rising Star by Thomson Reuters in the field of health care law in 2010 and 2011.