|
All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Waiver of Rights
In the final regulation, but not in the proposed regulation, we provide that a covered entity may not require individuals to waive their rights to file a complaint with the Secretary or their other rights under this rule as a condition of the provision of treatment, payment, enrollment in a health plan or eligibility for benefits. This provision ensures that covered entities do not take away the rights that individuals have been provided in Parts 160 and 164.
|
Washington Publishing Company (WPC)
Company that publishes the X12N HIPAA Implementation Guides and the X12N HIPAA Data Dictionary, and that also developed the X12 Data Dictionary.
Related Terms: Standard Transaction Format Compliance System; X-12
|
Welfare Benefit Plan
Any plan, fund, or program which was established or maintained by an employer or by an employee organization, or by both, to the extent that such plan, fund, or program was established or is maintained for the purpose of providing for its participants or their beneficiaries, through the purchase of insurance or otherwise, medical, surgical, or hospital care or benefits, or benefits in the event of sickness, accident, disability, death or unemployment, or vacation benefits, apprenticeship or other training programs, or day care centers, scholarship funds, or prepaid legal services, or any benefit described in section 302(c) of the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 (other than pensions on retirement or death, and insurance to provide such pensions).
|
Work Group (WG)
|
Workforce
Employees, volunteers, trainees, and other persons whose conduct, in the performance of work for a covered entity, is under the direct control of a covered entity, whether or not they are paid by the covered entity." [45 CFR 160.103]
|
Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI)
A health care industry group that lobbied for HIPAA A/S, and that has a formal consultative role under the HIPAA legislation.
Related Terms: Strategic National Implementation Process
|
Workstation
A Workstation is an electronic computing device, for example, a laptop or desktop computer, or any other device that performs similiar functions, and electronic media stored in its immediate environment.
|
World Health Organization (WHO)
An organization that maintains the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code set.
Related Terms: International Classification of Diseases
|
Written Authorization
A patients’ written authorization is required before the use or disclosure of health care information that is not for a "permissible purpose." Generally, this is information received for a purpose that is not treatment, payment or health care operations. For example, a written authorization is needed before a patient’s health information can be included on a list for marketing purposes. Unlike consents, a health care provider cannot refuse treatment if an authorization is not provided or is revoked.
|
Written Consent
Prior written consent to health care providers will be the new starting point before any health care provider can use or disclose protected health information to carry out treatment, payment or health care operations. Information that does not identify the individual is not covered. Consent can be revoked, and exceptions exist, including use or disclosure for medical emergencies, treatment of inmates, public health crisis or disease control. Any health care provider – such as a physician – can, under the rule, condition treatment on obtaining an initial consent or restoring a revoked consent. All patients must be advised that they may review the covered entities’ privacy policy. The consent requirement was added to the final rule after initial comments were filed with HHS. It has drawn criticism for the cost and the complexity of compliance, as well as delaying patient treatment.
|
|
|
