It is being widely reported that Jesse James, husband of Sandra Bullock, is in rehab. TMZ noted that a member of the medical team at Sierra Tuscon in Arizona confirmed that Jesse James was a patient there. (A serious confidentiality breach if that is true unless he gave written permission to reveal the information.) The high priced facility treats alcohol, drug, and sex addiction. Jesse James in Arizona Rehab | TMZ.com
Health care privacy
Here is the HIPAA information from the government website, which states: “The HIPAA Privacy Rule provides federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities and gives patients an array of rights with respect to that information.”
At the same time, the Privacy Rule is balanced so that it permits the disclosure of personal health information needed for patient care and other important purposes. Understanding Health Information Privacy
Revealing information to the press
How does revealing a patient is in treatment to a member of the press fall under “needed for patient care and other important purposes?”
For the full story and to leave comments, please go to: Jesse James: Was health privacy violated by rehab center? –