Patient Consents and Authorizations: Compliance and Risk Management Strategies for Health Centers

Patient Consents and Authorizations: Compliance and Risk Management Strategies for Health Centers

Health centers must carefully manage patient consents and authorizations to ensure compliance with federal and state laws while minimizing organizational risk. From HIPAA requirements to 42 C.F.R. Part 2 and state-specific rules, navigating these overlapping frameworks can be complex. The rise of health information exchanges (HIEs) and interoperable electronic medical records (EMRs) has added another layer of complexity, with many health centers facing confusion about when patient consent is required and how authorizations must be structured across different systems. Failure to obtain or document proper consent exposes health centers to compliance findings, potential liability, and challenges to patient trust.

This webinar will provide practical guidance on structuring, documenting, and implementing patient consents and authorizations that withstand legal and regulatory scrutiny. The session will highlight common pitfalls, recent enforcement trends, and strategies to strengthen policies and practices so that patient rights are protected, and compliance risks are minimized.

1. Understand the federal legal requirements governing patient consents and authorizations, including HIPAA and 42 C.F.R. Part 2.
2. Identify compliance risks that arise from incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent consent processes.
3. Apply practical strategies to strengthen documentation, workflows, and staff training around patient consents and authorizations.
4. Incorporate risk management considerations into policies and procedures to reduce liability exposure.