Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
What is HIPAA?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 was signed into law by the Clinton Administration. The Federal regulation introduces standards for protecting the privacy of personal health information (PHI). The final regulation provides protection for PHI, regardless of form – paper, oral or electronic. HIPAA includes the standardization of electronic claims processing, developing unique health identifiers, and privacy and security standards for individually identifiable health information. The legislation will require all health care entities to examine their processes and develop new procedures to protect the privacy and security of patient information. Covered entities are required to comply with the Privacy Rule and civil and criminal penalties have been established for violations of the rule.
When is HIPAA compliance expected?
The compliance date for electronic transaction standards is October 16, 2002. Privacy standards compliance is April 14, 2003. The security standards compliance date has yet to be determined. Small health plans will have an extended compliance date for each standard. For example, the privacy compliance deadline for small health plans is April 14, 2004.
Who is covered?
Covered Entities:
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Any health care providers, health plans or clearinghouses that transmit medical information must meet HIPAA regulations.
Also included are:
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medical practices (including solo practices),
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dental practices,
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public health authorities,
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insurance and billing agencies,
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service organizations and universities.
What is required by the average provider or health plan?
The specific details of the HIPAA mandate and the privacy rule are too complex to cover here, but in general the rule requires covered entities to:
Designate an individual to be the privacy official responsible for making sure privacy procedures are adopted and followed by all personnel who use PHI.
Adopt clear privacy procedures for the use and distribution of PHI, whether written, electronic or verbal.
Train employees to understand the privacy policies and procedures, and how to use any new document management systems that are introduced.
Secure patient records that contain individually identifiable health information so they are protected from access by unauthorized individuals.
Provide their patients with information about how their information is used, and what their privacy rights are.
Smead is part of your solution
Although the HIPAA regulation is vague, the underlying purpose is to ensure the confidentiality of patients’ medical information. Smead, along with our network of dealer professionals is prepared to offer you guidance in choosing the best solution in working towards HIPAA compliancy. Bring your document management systems into compliance with HIPAA standards. With a host of proven document management technologies that organize all forms of documents, both electronic and paper based, Smead is uniquely prepared to offer you the solution that best suits your organization.
What should you do next?
Ask us to help.
As an authorized Smead dealer, FilingSuppliesOnline.com can help you get started as you prepare to address the new HIPAA regulations.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute advice by FilingSuppliesOnline.com or Smead as to any particular actual set of facts, nor does this article represent any undertaking by FilingSuppliesOnline.com or Smead to provide customers with legal advice. This article is designed only to get customers started in understanding the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. FilingSuppliesOnline.com and Smead encourages customers to seek competent legal counsel for advice.