N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39A-10.8

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 13:39A-10.8 - Privacy and notice to patients

(a) Licensed physical therapists or licensed physical therapist assistants who communicate with patients by electronic communications other than telephone or facsimile shall establish written privacy practices that are consistent with Federal standards under 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, as amended and supplemented, which are incorporated herein by reference, relating to the privacy of individually identifiable health information.

(b) Written privacy practices required by (a) above shall include privacy and security measures that assure confidentiality and integrity of patient-identifiable information. Transmissions, including patient email, prescriptions, and laboratory results must be password protected, encrypted electronic prescriptions, or protected through substantially equivalent authentication techniques.

(c) A licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant who becomes aware of a breach in confidentiality of patient information, as defined in 45 CFR 164.402, shall comply with reporting requirements of 45 CFR Part 164.

(d) Licensed physical therapists or licensed physical therapist assistants, or their authorized representatives, shall provide a patient, prior to evaluation or treatment, with copies of written privacy practices and shall obtain the patient's written acknowledgement of receipt of the notice.

(e) Licensed physical therapists or licensed physical therapist assistants who provide services through telemedicine or telehealth, or their authorized representatives, shall, prior to providing services, give patients notice regarding telemedicine and telehealth, including the risks and benefits of being treated through telemedicine or telehealth and how to receive follow-up care or assistance in the event of an adverse reaction to the treatment or in the event of an inability to communicate as a result of a technological or equipment failure. A licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant shall obtain a signed and dated statement indicating that the patient received this notice.

(f) When telemedicine or telehealth is unable to provide all pertinent clinical information that a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant exercising ordinary skill and care would deem reasonably necessary to provide care to a patient, the licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant shall inform the patient of this prior to the conclusion of the provision of care through telemedicine or telehealth and shall advise the patient regarding the need for the patient to obtain an additional in-person evaluation reasonably able to meet the patient's needs.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:39A-10.8

Adopted by 52 N.J.R. 1918(a), effective 10/19/2020