When Your Patient Requests Tax Receipts
Ever thought that someone might want to submit your tax returns for you?
No problem.
They will even collect your refund – their payday when they scam your personal identity.
Michael Kaiser Blog, Executive Director of Stay Safe Online, notes on his blog that tax cyber crimes are on the rise. The Tax ID thieves usually file returns early using the taxpayers' stolen personal information so that they can cash the refunds before the taxpayer can file their legitimate tax return.
We can help to prevent this theft when we implement proper release of information practices.
Help Your Patient Requests Their Information for Tax Receipts
It's tax time! When patients or clients ask you for their account statement information, take the time to ask them for photo ID and a proper authorization to disclose their personal information.
Help them to understand that you can release information to the patient or to another person (a spouse, for example) only with the patient's written authorization. Even ‘just' health care billing information is important.
You Care About Patient Access and Privacy for Tax Receipts
Show your patients that you care about the safety of their information by taking steps to make sure we are protecting their patient and client information.
This Practice Management Success Tip, Patient Health Information for Tax Reporting includes
- Tips to help you implement this procedure
- Template authorization form
- Poster to quickly explain to your patients how your procedure helps to protect their privacy
Practice Management Success
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Did you enjoy this article? If you’d like to look at similar posts, visit these links:
Release of Information Checklist
Do You Know Where Your Policies And Procedures Are?
Why Do You Need Health Information Policies and Procedures?
Healthcare Policies And Procedures: Essential in EVERY Practice
When we know better, we can do better…
Jean L. Eaton is constructively obsessive about privacy, confidentiality, and security expecially when it comes to the handling of personal health information. If you would like to discuss how I can help your practice, just send me an email. I am here to help you.
Jean L. Eaton
Your Practical Privacy Coach
INFORMATION MANAGERS