What is the Security Rule and has the final Security Rule been released yet?
The Security Rule is one of three rules issued under HIPAA. (The others being the Privacy Rule, which is the primary focus of these FAQs, and the Transaction Rule, which requires standardized formatting of all electronic health care transactions in the health care system. It had an October 2002 compliance date, but psychologists who filed a timely extension form have until October 2003 to comply.) The Security Rule focuses on the physical and technical means of ensuring the privacy of patient information, e.g., locks on file drawers and computer and Internet security systems. The final security rule has not yet been released. Information about the Security Rule and its status can be found on the HHS web site: http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/admnsimp/nprm/seclist.htm.
The Security Rule is one of three rules issued under HIPAA. (The others being the Privacy Rule, which is the primary focus of these FAQs, and the Transaction Rule, which requires standardized formatting of all electronic health care transactions in the health care system. It had an October 2002 compliance date, but psychologists who filed a timely extension form have until October 2003 to comply.) The Security Rule focuses on the physical and technical means of ensuring the privacy of patient information, e.g., locks on file drawers and computer and Internet security systems. The final security rule has not yet been released. Information about the Security Rule and its status can be found on the HHS website.
