HIPAA and Our Responsibility

Jimmy Nazario
HIPAA Overview: Privacy and Security – Section I
MBC203
Prof. Deana Arvidson, RHIA, CCS
INTRODUCTION
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) were enacted by Congress in 1996 to protect workers and their families’ health insurance due to change or lose of jobs. Different key provisions (Title I and Title II) under HIPAA deal with insurance reforms (Title I) and privacy and security regulations (Title II), that outlines guidance; coverage; penalties; and responsibilities to everyone in the healthcare field (beneficiaries, providers, or entity). OUR RESPONSIBILITY
As a professional in the healthcare industry, our responsibility concerning HIPAA’s regulation is greater since we will be entrusted with the patients’ personal and private health information. The consequences for not following HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rule can be from civil monetary penalties to federal fines and/or imprisonment.
It is our responsibility to safeguard all Protected Health Information (PHI) under Title II provision of HIPAA’s regulation. We have to implement and follow Administrative Safeguards (policies and procedures that outline control and handling of PHI); Physical Safeguards (physical access and controls of PHI); Technical Safeguards (protected electronic communications and transmission of PHI).
As stated above the noncompliance of HIPAA’s Privacy and Security rule can be very severe, from civil fines and lawsuit filed by the person or persons affected by the unauthorized disclosure of PHI, to State and Federal fines (from $100 per violation to a maximum of $250,000) and/or up to 10 years imprisonment.

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[ 1 ]. http://en.wikipedia.org
[ 2 ]. Civil Monetary Penalties Law 42 US Code §320a-27a
[ 3 ]. Quick Guide to HIPAA for the Physician’s Office page 34