What is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and Compliance?

Question

What is the HIPAA and what are its objectives?

How is it enforced, what impact does it have on providers and businesses?

Answer 1

HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996, Public Law 104-191, 104th Congress; "to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes."

Definitions at:
42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.

Answer 2

That was a wet dream by politicians who wanted to "fix" healthcare. Along with the health insurance privacy act, they helped jack up the cost for everyone which has made it even harder to cover people. Every "improvement" costs tons of money and ends up helping very few people. Please try to think how you have been helped by the extremes being used to keep your medical records private? Enough to compensate for all the new computer systems, proceedures, forms, and employees needed to make it happen......doubt it.

Answer 3

Hope this helps you.