HIPPA

HIPPA

APA Research Paper

Introduction

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 1 was adopted August 21, 1996.(Wilson 2006) Portability of medical coverage for pre-existing conditions is a key provision of the law as has been the definition of the underwriting process for group medical coverage. It also provided standardization of electronic transmission of billing information and claims.

Congress recognized that the standardization of electronic means of payment and collection of claims data increased the risk of abuse of personal medical information. Thus, a key element of the Act has also increased and the confidentiality and security of health data standard. HIPAA Privacy Rules require that access to patient information be limited to authorized persons, and that only the information necessary for a task at their disposal.

Congress did not defeat the finalization of the existing regulation on the schedule established. Instead they passed that responsibility to the Department of Health and Social Services. The final version of Protection Regulations HIPAA was published in December 2000 and entered into force 14 April 20012. A two-year "grace" period was included, the application of HIPAA privacy rules beginning April 14, 2003. So HIPAA has been the law since then. On April 14, 2003, deadline is when the sanctions can be applied for non-compliance.

The rules are not set in stone; periodically Department of Health and Human Services propose changes or issue updates, clarifications and explanations (aka "Guidelines"). When a change is proposed, it is followed by a period of public comment.

HIPAA provides a consistent level of basic security and confidentiality throughout the country. (When the existing state law is stricter, they supersede HIPAA).

Entities covered

The researchers are the entities concerned, if they are also suppliers of health care that electronically transmit health information in connection with a transaction for which HHS has adopted a standard. For example, ...