Health care entities argue HIPAA exemption in Illinois BIPA cases

WAND TV reports the Illinois Supreme Court will determine whether health care providers can invoke a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act exemption to collect employee's biometric information. Two nurses from Chicago-area hospitals claimed violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act related to nonconsensual collection and retention of fingerprints. The providers argue the collection for work purposes is "unquestionably healthcare treatment under HIPAA" and "falls squarely within (the HIPAA) exclusion."