HIPAA Summary
HIPAA Summary
HCS/320
The HIPAA tutorial is a wealth of information on the subject of the health insurance portability and accountability act. HIPAA, enacted in 1996, provides federal policies and protection of individually identifiable health information. Professional health care entities that are mandated to follow HIPAA have to use the federal act as a minimum baseline along with state and company policies that go beyond the minimum. Personally identifiable health information that is spoken, written, or electronically communicated is protected under HIPAA. Health care professionals that are mandated to follow HIPAA have to go through training as the tutorial provided. Access to personally identifiable health information is limited to those that absolutely need it to do their job. Records of people who accessed personally identifiable health information have to be kept on file for six years. Breaches of personally identifiable health information security, whether accidental or intentional, is a serious risk to patients and health care companies. Following the policies and procedures outlined in HIPAA is necessary in the health care industry. There are civil and criminal penalties ranging from small fines to years in prison. Health care professionals who do not follow HIPAA policies or company policies can be subject to discipline or termination of employment. I plan to strictly adhere to HIPAA, state, and company policies regarding health care privacy. The health care system relies on professionals that are trustworthy and have the integrity to safeguard patients’ health information.
HCS/320
The HIPAA tutorial is a wealth of information on the subject of the health insurance portability and accountability act. HIPAA, enacted in 1996, provides federal policies and protection of individually identifiable health information. Professional health care entities that are mandated to follow HIPAA have to use the federal act as a minimum baseline along with state and company policies that go beyond the minimum. Personally identifiable health information that is spoken, written, or electronically communicated is protected under HIPAA. Health care professionals that are mandated to follow HIPAA have to go through training as the tutorial provided. Access to personally identifiable health information is limited to those that absolutely need it to do their job. Records of people who accessed personally identifiable health information have to be kept on file for six years. Breaches of personally identifiable health information security, whether accidental or intentional, is a serious risk to patients and health care companies. Following the policies and procedures outlined in HIPAA is necessary in the health care industry. There are civil and criminal penalties ranging from small fines to years in prison. Health care professionals who do not follow HIPAA policies or company policies can be subject to discipline or termination of employment. I plan to strictly adhere to HIPAA, state, and company policies regarding health care privacy. The health care system relies on professionals that are trustworthy and have the integrity to safeguard patients’ health information.