Introduction To Hipaa
What is HIPAA?
The Department of Health and Human Services has developed a series of privacy regulations known collectively as the Health Insurance Portability and Albatross Act of 1996 ( " HIPAA " ). These regulations are designed to protect the privacy rights of individuals with regard to their intimate medical records. The act enormously restricts the dissemination and transmittal of personal patient information and dramatically affects the way healthcare information is handled.
Who do the HIPAA Regulations Further to?
HIPPA regulations have been crafted to have broad application. The provisions of the Act extend to all health care plans, health care providers who transmit health records in an electronic format, and health care clearinghouses and billing companies. The bill refers to these organizations as " Covered Entities ". In conclusion, however, halfway everyone will be affected in one way or bounteous by these regulations, which will impact both consumers and providers of health care services.
Are Medical Transcription Services and Other 3rd Parties Considered " Covered Entities " Unbefitting HIPAA?
Most Medical Transcription Services and their employees are not considered " Covered Entities " unbefitting the Act unless their organization also engages in services that put them in the category of " Covered Entity ". Transcription Services are typically regarded below the Act as " Business Associates ". The Act defines a Business Associate as " any person or organization that performs a function or activity on gain of a Covered Entity, but is not part of the Covered Entity ' s workforce ( employees, volunteers, trainees and others beneath the Covered Entity ' s direct control, regardless of whether they are paid by the Covered Entity. " Be aware that state regulations may differ from national regulations and certain States may define MT Services as Covered Entities.
Business Associates may not be straightaway governed by HIPAA regulations. However, they are governed indirectly by merit of the gospel that Covered Entities are required to get written assurances from the Business Associates that they deal with to nail down that patient identifying information is appropriately safeguarded. These written assurances must be included in a written contract between the Covered Entity and the Business Associate.
Because of the unbiased requirements of the Act approximating to Covered Entities, Business Associates can expect that the Covered Entities for whom they perform services will be vigilant in requiring evidence of compliance from their Business Associate unit. This will likely take different forms from organization to organization. Organizations covered beneath this attribute of HIPAA should plan to realize and gadget their own stir plans and oversight mechanisms to establish that they meet the requirements of the Act.
When did HIPAA Regulations Become Effective?
The rules became officially effective on April 14, 2001. However, the Act provides for a period of time before complete compliance is mandated. The effective date for small health care plans was April 14, 2004. All other covered entities were required to become fully compliant by April 14, 2003.
Does the HIPAA Act Govern the Transmittal of Electronic Patient Information?
The Act calls for the standardization of electronic document transmittal. The national standard which has been prescribed by HIPAA for electronic health log transmittal is ANSI X12. This national standard governs both the content and the format of patient information that is sent electronically between two organizations.
What are the Other Key Provisions of the Act?
The primary focus of the Act is to restrict the dissemination of patient health care information. The conditions below which information can be conveyed are spelled out very explicitly. If the Act does not specifically acquiesce for health care information to be common in a certain style or beneath a certain set of conditions, it is prohibited.
The rules specifically pertain to health information that is transmitted or maintained in any mold ( vocal, unrecompensed, electronic, etc. ) and which contains patient identifying information. Patient identifying information includes relating things as name, superscription, social security number, phone number, and any other information which could be used to discern an individual.
In order to be compliant, covered entities must machine measures to effect that patient information is guarded in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Specifically:
- Written info must be prone to individuals sufficient them how information will be used and to whom it will be disseminated ( insurance and billing companies, or other health care practitioners, for example ).
- Written stand together must be obtained from the individual allowing for the use and maintenance of personal information as provided for by the Act.
- The goods or use of information for any other purpose or to any other organization requires specific authorization from the individual.
- Logical efforts must be made by covered entities to minimize the dispersal of patient information.
- Health information can be conveyed to Business Associates ( " Business Associates " is a term that typically includes Medical Transcription Service Providers and their employees ) only after written assurance is provided to guarantee the protection of the information.
- Privacy officials must be appointed by each covered entity to develop, machine and oversee privacy policy for the covered organization. A primary contact person must also be marked to handle complaints and inquiries about the organization ' s policy.
- All employees of the covered entity must receive formal training to guard that they savvy the requirements of the privacy Act as they pertain to their specific duties.
- Covered entities must form adequate administrative, technical and veritable safeguards to provide that all privacy requirements are upheld within the organization.
What are the Penalties for Non - Compliance?
Covered entities which fail to settle with HIPAA regulations by the mandated compliance date may incur stiff penalties, including the payment of a fine. In certain cases, criminal charges may be brought against the non - compliant entity.
