What are the objectives of HIPAA?
• Group and Individual Insurance Reform. It allows portability and continuity of health insurance, place limits on pre-existing exclusion provisions. • Accountability It reduces the potential for waste, fraud and abuse. New penalties and sanctions will be imposed. • Administrative Simplification It requires application of uniform standards to electronic data transactions in a confidential and secure environment. Its goal is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the health care system. Who is affected? All healthcare organizations are covered entities. This includes health care providers, health plans, employers, public health authorities, life insurers, and clearinghouses, billing agencies, information system vendors, service organizations and universities. What is a Covered Entity? A health plan, health care clearinghouse or health care provider who maintains and transmits any health information. What is Individually Identifiable Health Information (IIHI)? Information that is
