HIPAA

To Comply with HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

The HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules establish, as a federal mandate, a minimum standard for a person's privacy and information security. Under these regulations, DHS defines itself as a "covered" component within the hybrid entity Allegheny County, and thus must comply with the regulations. In addition to complying with HIPAA, DHS must comply with similar state and federal regulations governing the privacy and confidentiality of a person's information including records for those receiving mental health and substance abuse treatment.

All DHS employees must complete the online training within 60 days of hire. An email will be sent to new hire employees with the link and time frame to complete the training. Contact the Allegheny County privacy officer with questions via the form below.

Privacy Practices

The DHS Notice of Privacy Practices for Protected Health Information(PDF, 47KB) describes how medical information may be used and disclosed and how to get access to this information. (Audio version)

Forms to Manage the Use and Disclosure of Your Protected Health Information

Accounting of Disclosures Request Form(PDF, 48KB)
Use this form to request information indicating when and to whom your records were released.

Alternative Communication Request Form(PDF, 48KB)
Use this form to request communication through a method other than spoken English.

Authorization Form - Child/Adolescent Interagency Meeting(PDF, 40KB)
Parent/Guardian (or the young adult, in certain situations) may use this form to authorize the use and disclosure of protected health information to authorized participants during an interagency meeting.

Health Information Amendment Request Form(PDF, 51KB)
Use this form to correct inaccurate health information record(s).

Privacy Complaint Form(PDF, 51KB)
Use this form to file a formal complaint about the use and disclosure of your protected information.

Restriction Request Form(PDF, 48KB)
Use this form to request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your protected information.

Click here to view form.