Understanding HIPAA Privacy Rules

Understanding HIPAA Privacy Rules

Understanding HIPAA Privacy Rules

In 1996 the U.S. Congress passed The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and was originally sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (R-Kan). The act is designed to give patients rights and respect to their private information, along with securing private information HIPAA protects health insurance coverage for workers and their families when they lose or change jobs.

2003 marked the year The Privacy Rule took affect regulating what information is required to be secure by covered entities. Covered entities generally consist of health insurers, medical providers, and healthcare clearinghouses that engage in certain transactions. Covered entities must provide requested information to individuals within thirty days of the request. These entities may only disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) when authorized by the individual. Along with this Privacy Rule entities must notify individuals when their PHI has been used along with train employees who will have access to such records.

Along with the Privacy Rule came the Security Rule which focuses with Electronic Protected Health Information. There are three security safeguards required to become HIPAA compliant and these include administrative, physical and technical. The administrative safeguard shows policies and procedures which entities must comply to. Controlling the physical access to protect inappropriate access to protected data is the physical safeguard. The last safeguard is the technical which requires entities to protect data being shared over different networks.

These specific regulations implemented by Congress are formulated to keeping personal information safe and secure. Entities are required to meet these standards or face large penalties including fines that can reach $250,000 or even up to 10 years of jail time. With harsh penalties like these businesses are required to keep private data safe and protected for individuals. For additional information regarding HIPAA compliance regulations please visit www.pcihipaa.com

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