Are covered entities allowed to re-disclose patient health information received from other healthcare providers for treatment purposes?

Covered entities are indeed permitted to re-disclose patient health information received from other healthcare providers for treatment purposes. This is rooted in the regulations established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which allows for the sharing of health information among healthcare providers as part of treatment activities.

In the context of treatment, HIPAA defines "health care operations" to include activities related to patient care coordination, case management, and referrals between providers. This means that if one healthcare provider shares patient information with another for the purpose of treating the patient, the receiving provider can further re-disclose that information as necessary for the ongoing treatment of that patient.

For example, if a physician refers a patient to a specialist and shares relevant medical records, both providers are involved in the treatment of that individual. Thus, any information exchanged with the intent of facilitating this care continues to be governed by the treatment-related exceptions within HIPAA regulations, making the re-disclosure of such information permissible.

This understanding emphasizes the importance of maintaining continuity of care while still complying with patient privacy standards.