What Is Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

HIPAA is beneficial to your health, and that much is certain. Since 2003, when it was first passed, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has protected your right to privacy and access to information about your medical history. What exactly does HIPAA stand for? Protected health information (PHI) is information about a patient's health that must be kept confidential by law in the United States (PHI). It specifies the procedures that must be followed by companies and other entities when dealing with protected health information (PHI) to prevent unauthorized access and maintain patient confidentiality. Patients can access and control their secure health information (PHI), which refers to patient records and data. In April 2003, HIPAA regulations were made legally enforceable. Maintaining your medical records in a secure and protected manner requires you to comply with HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted in 1996, and it mandates that businesses protect the health information of their clients or patients. It applies to any medical technology that stores or uses digital versions of patient health information or patient health information itself. Any software that keeps patient health information and data, including electronic medical record systems, software used in laboratories or doctor's offices, and software used by insurance companies, must be HIPAA compliant. HIPAA is not simply a list of guidelines for those who work in the information technology field. It is a piece of legislation that will significantly alter the lives of millions of people in the United States. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) applies to facilities that maintain patient health data, software, and other technology. HIPAA-compliant data handling strategies are required in medical offices and other facilities that house sensitive information to safeguard digital or printed records, prevent unauthorized eavesdropping and deal with other problems of a similar nature. HIPAA is a primary concern for medical and IT personnel in particular areas for various reasons, including those listed above. If you are in charge of supervising these kinds of facilities, you need to have a thorough understanding of HIPAA and how the law may influence your business strategy in the years to come.