Aetna's HIV Lapse Shows Snail Mail's Privacy Pitfalls

Letters to policyholders of Aetna Inc. that publicly disclosed information about HIV medications represent a clear breakdown of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act controls (HIPAA).

"It makes you wonder, were there any humans looking at this," said Healthcare and Life Sciences Partner Shannon Hartsfield. "If Aetna had a business associate agreement in place ... then Aetna might not have any liability from a HIPAA standpoint here."

READ: Aetna's HIV Lapse Shows Snail Mail's Privacy Pitfalls