Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was enacted by the United States Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996. Title I of HIPAA protects health insurance coverage for workers and their families when they change or lose their jobs. Title II of HIPAA, known as the Administrative Simplification (AS) provisions, requires the establishment of national standards for electronic health care transactions and national identifiers for providers, health insurance plans, and employers.[1] Title II also addresses the security and privacy of health data, with the intend of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the nation's health care system by encouraging the widespread use of electronic data interchange in the U.S. health care system.
On February 16, 2006, HHS issued the Final Rule regarding HIPAA enforcement. It became effective on March 16, 2006. The Enforcement Rule sets civil money penalties for violating HIPAA rules and establishes procedures for investigations and hearings for HIPAA violations; however, its deterrent effects seem to be negligible with few prosecutions for violations.[2]
References
- ↑ "Overview HIPAA - General Information". Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. http://www.cms.gov/HIPAAGenInfo/. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
- ↑ Stein, Rob (5 June 2006). "Medical Privacy Law Nets No Fines". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/04/AR2006060400672.html. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
