What is HIPAA?
HIPAA is the “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.” It is legislation designed to improve a persons ability to change jobs within certain limitations without losing eligibility for health coverage for a condition that existed prior to being hired by a new employer and enrolling in their plan.
The Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law104-191. Title II includes a section, Administrative Simplification, requiring: 1. Improved efficiency in healthcare delivery by standardizing electronic data interchange and 2. Protection of confidentiality and security of health data through setting and enforcing standards.
HIPAA is an acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which is a federal law enacted by Congress. The law has many provisions designed to improve people’s access to health care throughout the country, as well as requirements for health care providers and health plans (i.e., insurers/HMOs and self-insured employer group health plans) to more efficiently and securely share health care data and information. The HIPAA privacy regulations establish standards for protecting individuals’ medical records and other personal health information. The rules are in effect as of April 14, 2003.
