Healthcare Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996, otherwise known as HIPAA, not HIPPA! Remember “AA” not “PP”! This is a common mistake people make, even healthcare workers.
If you have been anywhere in America’s healthcare system you sign this privacy form with all your healthcare. Do you know what you are signing? Do you really understand what HIPAA does or should do? Is it really carried out? What does it mean?
privacy (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)
These are national standards that protects specific health information implemented in 1996. The privacy rule assures that individuals’ health information is protected, also called “protected health information”. It helps individuals’ understand and control how their health information is used. This was set to protect the public’s health and well being and allow the individuals’ health information to flow while providing quality health care.
HIPAA, 1996
- Individuals health information is protected
- Control how health information is used
- Protects public’s health and well-being
- Certain disclosures are necessary
- Privacy rule is flexible & comprehensive
- Entitles patient to review records and correct errors
Privacy rule protects the privacy of patients seeking care and permits important uses of information to protect the health and well-being of everyone. Certain disclosures are necessary and the privacy rule is flexible and comprehensive.
HIPAA entitles the patient to review one’s medical records and correct errors.
The following are excellent links pertaining to HIPAA. Take the time to fully understand how HIPAA works and what it should be doing. Do you think HIPAA is the same as previous confidentiality issues? What do you get out of the HIPAA of 1996?
How HIPAA harm’s patients by Kevin MD
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/12/how-hipaa-harms-patients.html
7 tips to avoid HIPAA violations in social media
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/7-tips-avoid-hipaa-violations-social-media.html
New HIPAA laws won’t enhance privacy
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/09/hipaa-rules-enhance-privacy-burden-physicians.html
HIPAA violations and enforcement
How to file a complaint
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/index.html
Avoid violation of HIPAA laws
http://medicaloffice.about.com/od/compliance/a/5-Ways-To-Break-Hipaa-Compliance.htm
Examples of HIPAA violations – More lawsuits coming
Related articles
- Thoughts on HIPPA by Isatou Susso (nutripsychtherapy.wordpress.com)
- HIPAA Violations – Infographic (thegypsynurse.com)
- MEDIA ALERT: Upcoming Complimentary Webinar: How to Develop Your HIPAA-HITECH Policies & Procedures (prweb.com)
braininjuryselfrehabilitation 
markinidaho
November 2, 2012 at 12:18 am
HIPAA may sound like it assures privacy for the patient. The BIG PROBLEM is that is has a HUGE LOOPHOLE. Any person or entity that has an established business relationship with the medical office or patient has a waiver thus access to the full medical file. Access to a single bit of information is access to the whole record. Collection agencies can see the whole file to look for information to use to try to collect an unpaid bill.
HIPAA is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Fail to pay a medical bill and watch how fast the collection agency takes to call the Emergency Contact in the medical file.
brain injury self rehabilitation (BISR)
November 3, 2012 at 11:31 pm
You offer so much with your comments. I’m certain there are many HUGE LOOPHOLES with HIPAA and you pointed out a major loophole. What we think protects privacy does not. Would you mind if I copy your comment and place it on my post so others read this?