Addresses the substantial changes brought about by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the growth of network information systems, with discussion of state laws affecting the use and disclosure of patient data. The text also discusses the highly complex interplay of federal and state privacy laws. In addition to the considerable new material concerning HIPAA and its regulations, this edition addresses the challenging area of how patient information may be used in connection with medical research and the impact that the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act is having on public health monitoring and surveillance.

Introduction to the U.S. legal System -- Health records and managed care -- Health record requirements -- Health record entries -- Document consent to treatment -- Access to health information -- Reporting and disclosure requirements -- Documentation and disclosure : special areas of concern -- HIV/AIDS : mandatory reporting and confidentiality -- Discovery and admissibility of health records -- Legal theories in improper disclosure cases -- Risk management and quality management -- Electronic health records -- Health information in medical research -- Looking ahead to the future.