What is a HIPAA authorization, and why is it needed?
Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996 to protect your privacy. When you complete this form, you authorize your medical providers to disclose the medical records and personal health information documentation needed to complete the evaluation and processing of your claim. The Privacy Rule portion of HIPAA requires health care providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses to do the following: • Limit the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI). • Obtain a written authorization for some uses and disclosures of PHI. • Notify individuals about their privacy rights and respond when individuals invoke their rights. • Require their business associates, including sales agents, to agree to safeguard the privacy of PHI. • Adopt and implement privacy policies and procedures. • Train their workforce on privacy policies and procedures. • Secure PHI so it’s not available to those who don’t need it.
