Running head: HIPPA LAW

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HIPPA LAW Kimberly Jackson Murfreesboro Tennessee State University

HIPPA LAW According to the United States Department of Health, HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is defined as: The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The primary goal of the law is to make it easier for people to keep health insurance, protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information ad help the healthcare industry control administrative costs. (What is HIPPA, n.d.)

Taken into effect in 1996, HIPPA law is divided into four main sections. These sections include privacy, security, code of transactions and code set standards, and identifier standards. All of these sections address healthcare in some way and are equally important. This particular paper, however, will highlight the privacy and rights of patients which are protected by HIPPA law. HIPPA applies to different bodies of healthcare: Institutions which collect money from or bill patients, institutions which store patient information, institution clearing houses, and insurance plans. Any healthcare agency which meets the previous criteria must adhere to HIPPA law. If not, these agencies could be fined a substantial amount of money. Fines can range from as low as $100 to as high as $250,000 along with imprisonment. Obviously, the law is taken very seriously. Any institution who breaks HIPPA law is subject to face the consequences. HIPPA protects individual patient information. Part of the privacy law is put in place, specifically to adhere to the rights of every patient regardless of his or her demographics or health status. Specific information protected by HIPPA law is referred to as PHI (protected health information). According to the Department of Health, this information includes: Dates relating to a patient, i.e. birthdates, dates of medical treatment, admission and discharge dates, and dates of death

HIPPA LAW Telephone numbers, addresses (including city, county, or zip code) fax numbers and other contact information Social Security numbers Medical records numbers Photographs Finger and voice prints Any other unique identifying number (What is HIPPA, n.d.) The information listed above does not only protect patients. It also protects patients immediate family members and places of work. Therefore, if a hospital employee gives out personal information such as an address of a patient to unauthorized personnel or even distant family members, he or she could be in violation of the HIPPA law. Also, if an employee gives out

personal information about a patients child or other household member, he or she is in violation of the HIPPA law. Even when asking if a particular patient is in the hospital, employees must be careful so that the list of patient names are not visible to bystanders. Only authorized personnel are allowed to view patient information. With so many different rules and sections, it is important for each employee who must abide by HIPPA to know the different sections, especially since these sections can easily be violated. Since the law is so sensitive and easy to violate, agencies have a HIPPA officer on staff to make sure the agency employees are aware of rules and regulations. HIPPA officers also oversee the protection of all patient information. According to Debra Kraft of Demand Media, every healthcare agency must have a HIPPA officer (Kraft, n.d.)

HIPPA LAW Patients have many rights under HIPPA law. These rights include: Patients can view any health organizations privacy statements

Patients can view their own personal health information. They may also get a copy of this information if they choose

Patients can request that their information be altered if incorrect. Also, patients can request that information be added if it has been left out

Patients can ask for their information to be protected with extra care Patients can express dissatisfaction if they feel they have not been treated with proper care or if their information has not been treated with proper care

Patients can ask what amount of their information has been discussed amongst healthcare personnel

Patients can ask to be communicated with in private (What is HIPPA, n.d.)

All of these patient rights are given to each and every patient. Patients are in charge of their health. However, health organizations are allowed to give out a patients information without his or her permission in some cases. For instance, if required by law, an organization can give out patient information without consulting with the patient. Also, if the information is needed to diagnose the patient or involves billing, the health organization can release patient information without the consent. If a patient feels their information has been wrongly released or they feel they have been violated in any way, he or she can file a complaint with that organization and an investigation will take place. HIPPA law protects the right of patients along with patient information. Taken into effect in 1996, the law has changed significantly over the years and is still being altered to better

HIPPA LAW serve individuals. The law does a tremendous job of protecting the information of anyone who must visit a health facility.

HIPPA LAW References Department of HealthJohn J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner. (n.d.). HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Retrieved April 29, 2014, from https://health.state.tn.us/hipaa/#MainContent Kraft, D. (n.d.). HIPAA Privacy Officer Duties. Everyday Life. Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/hipaa-privacy-officer-duties-16710.html