In the third and final episode of Florida Capital Conversations' healthcare privacy series, Tallahassee attorneys Shannon Hartsfield and Eddie Williams join hosts Nathan Adams and Mia McKown to discuss the challenges of patient privacy complaints under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). They explain that though complaints are common — often concerning alleged misuse or disclosure of protected health information — patients have limited legal recourse beyond filing complaints with providers, state boards or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as HIPAA does not include a private right of action allowing patients to sue organizations directly.

The conversation highlights the importance of clear communication, robust HIPAA policies and thorough documentation in addressing and preventing privacy issues. Ms. Hartsfield and Mr. Williams emphasize timely responses to complaints, comprehensive staff training and proactive protocol updates as key strategies for building patient trust and resolving issues efficiently. As a whole, the series offers practical legal insight into privacy matters affecting Florida's healthcare landscape.

In the second episode of a "Florida Capital Conversations" mini-series on healthcare privacy, Tallahassee healthcare attorneys Shannon Hartsfield and Eddie Williams focus on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance for students and interns. They discuss the importance of treating students and interns as part of the healthcare workforce under HIPAA, implementing thorough training on privacy policies and electronic record security, and the serious consequences of unauthorized access to or "snooping" on patient records. The episode imparts practical advice for healthcare providers to prevent privacy breaches and ensure students understand their legal responsibilities to protect sensitive health information in clinical settings.

This Tallahassee-based podcast series takes a look at the many different aspects of state and local government through the lens of experienced legal professionals. Hosted by attorneys Nathan Adams and Mia McKown, these candid conversations offer a seat at the table to everyone who listens.

In the first episode of a "Florida Capital Conversations" new healthcare privacy series, Tallahassee healthcare attorneys Shannon Hartsfield and Eddie Williams discuss the evolving landscape of genetic data privacy, focusing on protections under Florida law and the implications for genetic testing companies such as 23andMe. They explain how Florida law generally recognizes individuals as owners of their DNA and genetic test results, though there are exceptions for clinical or research use. The bankruptcy of 23andMe raises important questions about what happens to consumers' genetic data during company sales, highlighting the tension between consumer privacy promises and business realities. Unlike healthcare providers, consumer genetic information companies are typically not covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) but instead fall under Federal Trade Commission oversight, which enforces privacy commitments made to customers.

This Tallahassee-based podcast series takes a look at the many different aspects of state and local government through the lens of experienced legal professionals. Hosted by attorneys Nathan Adams and Mia McKown, these candid conversations offer a seat at the table to everyone who listens.