Learning the Specifics of HIPAA

December 15, 2002

HIPAA is revolutionizing health care. "HIPAA administrative simplification is going to streamline and standardize the electronic filing and processing of health insurance claims, save money and provide better service for providers, insurers and patients," HHS Tommy G. Thompson recently said [ http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20021015a.html ]. Truly HIPAA compliance represents an opportunity to improve the way you do business.

Once implemented, the new standards will benefit everyone. There are currently, for example, hundreds of formats for electronic processing of health claims. Under the new HIPAA guidelines, all covered entities must use the same format to electronically transmit health data, have an information security program in place, and protect the privacy of stored and electronically transmitted patient information. MedAbiliti is positioned to help you meet the mandated standards and come into compliance by the deadlines established.

This is a field that is still being formulated. Some of the standards are already established; others are still to be announced. To help businesses that are struggling to understand their requirements under HIPAA, here are some HIPAA resources:

What is HIPAA [ http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/admnsimp/pl104191.htm ]?

Fact sheet [ http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/hipaa.html ] summarizing the HIPAA administrative simplification standards required by HIPAA.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' detailed information on HIPAA compliance, laws, regulations, waivers [ http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/ ].

Dept. of Health and Human Service's Office of Civil Rights [ http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/ ] (they enforce the privacy standards).

Are you a covered entity [ http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2/support/tools/decisionsupport/default.asp ]?

What are the compliance dates [ http://cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2/deadlines.asp ]?

Where can I find the Standards and Code Sets [ http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/admnsimp/final/txfin00.htm ]?

Whare are the Security Standards [ http://www.wedi.org/snip/public/articles/details~12.htm ]?

What is the HIPAA Privacy Rule [ http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/finalreg.html ]?

Privacy issues, covered entities, and what health information is covered [ http://www.wedi.org/snip/public/articles/details~16.htm ] .

Are small providers exempt from HIPAA?

OCR (Office for Civil Rights -- HIPAA)'s paper, "Medical Privacy - National Standards to Protect the Privacy of Personal Health Information" [ http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/privacy.html ], OCR Guidance Explaining Significant Aspects of the Privacy Rule - December 4, 2002.

About MedAbiliti Software, Inc.

MedAbiliti Software, Inc., designs, develops, and deploys software for the healthcare industry. MedAbiliti's approach to development is one that applies international quality assurance methods to application access, data analysis, and process efficiency. MedAbiliti's commitment to structured software methodology, software engineering practices, quality standards for data deployment/access, confidentiality and security of sensitive data, and commitment to customer client management, position it as an emerging industry leader in medical software design and implementation.