PROTECTING THE PRIVACY OF
PATIENTS' HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI)
Overview: Each time a patient sees a doctor, is admitted to a hospital, goes to a pharmacist or sends a claim to a health plan, a record is made of their confidential health information. In the past, family doctors and other health care providers protected the confidentiality of those records by sealing them away in file cabinets and refusing to reveal them to anyone else. Today, the use and disclosure of this information is protected by a patchwork of state laws, leaving gaps in the protection of patients' privacy and confidentiality.
Congress recognized the need for national patient record privacy standards in 1996 when they enacted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The law included provisions designed to save money for health care businesses by encouraging electronic transactions, but it also required new safeguards to protect the security and confidentiality of that information.
COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE
The final rule took effect on April 14, 2001. As required by the HIPAA law, most
covered entities have two full years - until April 14, 2003 - to comply with the
final rule's provisions. The law gives HHS the authority to make appropriate
changes to the rule prior to the compliance date.
COVERED ENTITIES
As required by HIPAA, the final regulation covers health plans, health care
clearinghouses, and those health care providers who conduct certain financial
and administrative transactions (e.g., electronic billing and funds transfers)
electronically.
INFORMATION PROTECTED
All medical records and other individually identifiable health information used
or disclosed by a covered entity in any form, whether electronically, on paper,
or orally, are covered by the final rule.
CONSUMER CONTROL OVER HEALTH INFORMATION
Under the final rule, patients will have significant new rights to
understand and control how their health information is used.
Is your Office HIPAA Compliant?
Join the Medical Association of Billers for an information packed seminar. We will cover:
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What is HIPAA
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Provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule
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Goals of the HIPAA Privacy Rule
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Key Provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule
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Scope of the HIPAA Privacy Rule
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Key Elements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule
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Consent and Authorization
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Personal Health Information
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Basic Patient Rights
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Authorization Form
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Consent Form
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Levels of Privacy Breach
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How to Avoid a Risk Breach
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Business Associates
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Costs for Compliance
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Testing Your Knowledge
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location:
October 19, 2002 |
3900 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 101
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December 7, 2002 |
2441 Tech Center Court, Suite 116
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Call our office to register for either seminar, or sign up on-line.
702-240-8519