Disease Reporting

Florida Statute/HIPAA

In accordance with Rule 64D-3.029, F.A.C., it is important that the requirements imposed by the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) be understood and followed especially in regard to disease reporting responsibilities and protections.

HIPAA does not change the obligation of health care providers, laboratories, and hospitals to report cases of disease listed in Chapter 64D-3, F.A.C., or the obligation to cooperate with the Department's epidemiology investigations.

HIPAA Section 45 CFR 160.203(c) specifically defers to state law with respect to "reports of disease, injury, child abuse, birth, or death for the conduct of public health." Also, health care providers are specifically allowed to report these and other matters that contain protected health information to the public health authority without notice to your patient (45 CFR 164.512(b)). In fact, section 381.0031(7), F.S., requires licensed health care practitioners to report diseases of public significance to the Department of Health. Chapter 64D-3, F.A.C., specifies the diseases required to be reported. These state requirements are not reduced or changed by the federal law.

Reportable Disease Information, Forms, and Guidelines