First Responders Can Get Data of Patients Exposed to Covid-19

Health-care providers can share the protected data of patients who have been exposed to Covid-19 with law enforcement, paramedics, or other first responders if doing so is needed to provide treatment, the HHS said.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights issued guidance Tuesday clarifying when entities covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act can disclose patient data to first responders amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

Providers can share identifiable health data such as names and addresses without patients’ permission when that information would help emergency staff provide treatment, is required by law, or ...