NC S607

Adds electronic prescription orders to pharmacy confidentiality protections and permits disclosure to HIPAA covered entities and business associates for treatment, payment, or health care operations.

Allows mental health and substance abuse facilities to share confidential client information with HIPAA covered entities and business associates for care coordination and quality improvement, with client opt-out rights and protections against discriminatory use.

Updates health department confidentiality provisions to align with federal HIPAA regulations (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164) for treatment, payment, research, and health care operations.

Modifies confidentiality rules for communicable disease and AIDS records to permit disclosure for treatment, payment, research, and health care operations under HIPAA standards.

Simplifies medical record confidentiality language in nursing home and home care agency regulations to conform with applicable state and federal law requirements.

Effective January 1, 2012.