What is HIPAA?
HIPAA stands for the health insurance portability and accountability act. In August 1996, US president bill Clinton initiated this act to promote transparency and accountability in the health sector. HIPAA stated that health secretary and human services must upgrade the standards for electronic exchange, privacy, and health-related information security. it also mentioned that the HHS secretary has the responsibility to issue regulations if the US Congress can’t upgrade privacy and security standards by 1999.
HIPAA Privacy rule
HIPAA Privacy rule established protocols regarding the handling of information of different patients. The privacy rule applies to different health care agencies, health plans and health care providers that use the information of various patients electronically
Medical insurance plans of individuals and groups are also covered in this plan by HIPAA. These plans include vision, medicare, Medicaid, drug insurers and other health care insurance, providers
Below information is protected under the privacy rule by HIPAA:
- A complete history of mental and physical health of an individual
- Individual access to treatment and provision
- Payment information of individual to said healthcare
This privacy rule is governed by the civil rights office
HIPAA Security rule
Seamless transfer of the data works best for businesses but it’s not that easier as it seems to be. Many entities want to hack the data for their gain. Health security rule is a law that covers a series of physical, administered, technical safeguards to ensure confidentiality and real-time availability of protected electronic healthcare information.
Electronic code sets and transaction standards
It is very important to make sure that electronic transactions are safe and secure. HIPAA provides a standard on which all health care providers have to adhere to. HIPAA provides operating rules and standards for electronic remittance advice (ERA) and electronic funds transfer (EFT). This HIPAA section is covered by Medicaid services and centers for Medicare
National identifier Requirements
Along with HIPAA rules and regulations, Health care providers are required to use unique health plan identifiers (HPID). These unique numbers are assigned to each medical transaction. Like the standardization of transaction code, the identifiers are governed by Medicaid services and centers for Medicare.
