If a deaf medical student utilizes an interpreter or speech-to-text provider, does it impact the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) patient privacy rule?
It is a common misconception that service providers (interpreters and speech-to-text professionals), as a third party, may be a violation of HIPAA. The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) explains the allowance of service providers whether remote, in-person or via telecommunications relay service (TRS); including obligations to the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Additionally, protecting consumer privacy is reinforced through confidentiality clauses in service provider codes of ethics:
Association of Transcribers and Speech-to-text Providers (ATSP)