Vitaliya Insdorf
Going to the Doctors
 While doctors are busy tending to patients, how do
they protect patients’ confidentiality?
 HIPAA-US legislation that secures patients’ privacy
and security while safeguarding medical information.
History
 The beginning of HIPAA started in the early 90’s when
it become clear to medical practices everywhere that
computerized medical records would be the future.
 The industry required new standards for computerized
data instead of paper records.
 Another problem was ensuring people could keep
medical coverage after they left a job.
 In 1996, HIPAA was written by congress to address
these concerns and was signed by President Clinton.
HIPAA Regulations
 HIPAA is set up into primarily two subcategories,
which also have subcategories of their own. But they
are as follows:
 Title I: Health Care Access, Portability, and
Renewability
 Mostly covers health care plans and policies.
 Controls how long medical insurers can refuse coverage
for preexisting conditions. It also was a big step in
allowing people to keep their coverage whenever they
change jobs.
HIPAA Regulations (Cont.)
 Title II: Preventing Health Care Fraud and Abuse
 Made up of 5 Rules:
 Privacy Rule-establishes standards to protect individuals'
medical records
 Transactions and Code Sets Rule-Governs how health
insurers operate electronically.
 Security Rule-Protects patients’ health information that is
used by any entity.
 Unique Identifiers Rule-Requiring different numbers and
codes for patient info to promote security and quickness.
 Enforcement Rule-Lays out potential investigations, hearings,
civil fines, and other penalties for HIPAA violations.
How do companies deal with
HIPAA?
 HIPAA requires that every company have at least one
person employed as an officer in compliance that has taken
the training course.
 HIPAA requires all organizations to show and document
the security being used on their electronic systems to
prevent data stealing or hacking.
 If a hack happens or data leaks, companies are required to
report the incident and tell their patients immediately
Complaints and Violations
 Patients must file a complaint if a HIPAA violation is
committed.
 HIPAA disallows any bullying, harassment, or ill will
towards those filing complaints.
 Should it be determined after a complaint is filed that
a violation occurred, fines and/or imprisonment are
potential options.
Effects of HIPAA on…
 Costs-Since HIPAA was founded, it has decreased
medical costs on average. While some medical centers
were charged earlier on when HIPAA was first
founded, they’ve benefited from having streamlined
medical services that also help keep costs down for the
medical center as well as the patient/customer.
Effects of HIPAA on…(Cont.)
 Research-HIPAA has been a mixed bag when it comes
to medical research. While the privacy of those
participating in clinical trials or research is important,
so is the research itself. Follow up surveys for patients
to gather more information have become more
difficult in research because of the standards and
documentation involved.
Effects of HIPAA on… (Cont.)
 Clinical Care-Clinical Care has improved for certain since
HIPAA’s implementation, but there are still some issues. For
example, there are legal grey areas medical centers and health
insurers find themselves in when it comes to the government.
While HIPAA is ultimately good, it has made understanding
exactly what’s required of it and who gets what information
sometimes confusing, and mistakes have been made on
withholding information at times.
In Conclusion…
 HIPAA is the groundbreaking medical privacy and
security legislation from the 90’s that has had mostly
had positive effects on how patients are treated with
confidentiality, as well as how they’re treated by their
insurers. There are some flaws, like its effects on
research, but it’s been mostly good.