HIPAA and the Media | News | NorthBay Health

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We are required by law to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of our patients' medical conditions.

Federal regulations set forth in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) strictly limit the patient information we may share with the media. We will release certain information only if the media provides us with a patient name and the name of our facility where the patient is receiving care.

We can only disclose a patient's condition in general terms. We use the following definitions:

Undetermined. Patient is awaiting physician assessment.

Good. Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are excellent.

Fair. Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious, but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable.

Serious. Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill. Indicators are questionable.

Critical. Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.

Insurance	Medical Group	Hospitals	Surgery
Aetna HMO **
Aetna: PPO, EPO, POS
Anthem Blue Cross HMO **
Anthem Blue Cross PPO, EPO, POS, PPO/EPO
Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO) Medicare Advantage
Anthem MediBlue Dual Access (PPO D-SNP)(Medicare/Medi-Cal)
Anthem Medical Local Preferred Provider Organization (LPPO). (Out-of-state Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medicare Advantage PPO)
Anthem Medicare Preferred PPO Plan
Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
Blue Shield HMO: Access+, Individual Family Plan, Local Access+, Providence Option Plus, SaveNet, Trio **
Blue Shield, Standard PPO, POS
Brand New Day Medicare Advantage Plan (specialty referral only)
CalPERS: PERS Platinum (PPO) and PERS Gold (PPO)
CHAMPVA
Cigna HMO, PPO, POS
Compass Rose Plan
*New* Covered California: Anthem Blue Cross PPO
*New* Covered California: Blue Shield HMO **
Covered California: Western Health Advantage
FEHB: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
First Health/Coventry PPO, EP
GEHA PPO Plans
Health Net HMO: Blue & Gold, SmartCare - CalPERS, WholeCare **
Health Net PPO, POS
Health Smart EPO
Health Smart POS
Health Smart PPO
Mail Handlers Benefit Trust PPO, POS
Medi-Cal
Medicare
Medicare Supplemental Plans A-N (i.e. AARP, Mutual of Omaha, etc)
MultiPlan/Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS) PPO, POS
Partnership HealthPlan of CA (Currently not accepting new patients for Primary Care)
Private Healthcare Systems PPO, POS
Three Rivers Provider Network PPO
TRICARE (includes TRICARE for Life)
UnitedHealthcare AARP Medicare Advantage Choice (PPO)
UnitedHealthcare Employer Retiree Medicare Advantage Plan PPO
UnitedHealthcare HMO: Signature Value, Signature Value Focus **
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Assure (HMO)
UnitedHealthcare PPO, EPO, POS
UnitedHealthcare, AARP MedicareComplete, SecureHorizons (HMO)
Western Health Advantage
Western Health Advantage MyCare & MyCare Plus

HIPAA & the Media