Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

Abstract
In this paper there will be information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This paper will discuss both the privacy and security aspects of HIPAA as well the crucial elements and systems that must be followed in order for both rules to be successful. The consequences of breaking the policies of this health care act will result in fines and/or up to ten years in prison depending on the violation that was committed. The main purpose of HIPAA is to assure that all individuals’ health care information is protected as well as the protection of each patient’s health and well-being.

Table of Contents
Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………..pg 1 Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………pg 2 Introduction, Body, & Conclusion………………………………………………………...pg 4-8 References…………………………………………………………………………………pg 9

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
There are people all over the United States who are required to share their personal information with physicians and other medical professionals. Fortunately the health care environment guarantees patient confidentiality for all of their sensitive and health-related information. There are several acts that the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have developed in order to ensure all patients are given the proper medical confidentially that they deserve. One specific act is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This act required HHS to develop regulations that would protect the privacy and security of certain health information. In the end two separate rules were published: Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information and The Security Standards for the Protection of Electronic Protected Health Information. HIPAA is an important aspect of health care especially-when it comes to the safety of all patients (Andrews, 2010). Due to the strict privacy and security acts of this program, the consequences are extremely severe.

One of the more important rules of HIPAA is the privacy rule, which “establishes national standards to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal health information” (Summary of The HIPAA Privacy Rule 2003). This aspect also applies to several health plans, health care clearinghouses, and other health ca...

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