Dental practices can request vaccination status of patients, employees, says HHS
HIPAA does not prevent dental practices from asking about the vaccination status of either staff members or patients, says the United States Department of Health and Human Services in new guidance.
According the guidance, the HIPAA Privacy Rule applies to certain entities, such as health insurance companies, hospitals, and dental practices, and regulates how these entities use and disclose protected information.
The Privacy Rule, does, however, dictate how covered entities are allowed to use and disclose information gathered about individuals’ vaccination status.
You can read the detailed guidance on the HHS’s website, and view the ADA's coverage here.
Subscribe to DentistryIQ’s Morning Briefing newsletter for continued updates about HR and infection control issues relating to the pandemic.
Read more: New federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate currently 'doesn't apply to dental offices directly'
