Do You Know Everything about About HIPAA?

by DR.Jeremy Ross

(HIPAA)
The Health Insurance Probability and Accountability Act or also known as HIPAA was passed in 1996. It specifies certain rules and regulations that dictate how individual health information is used in the health sector. It is basicallyapplied to protect the health records of a person. It will also give the individual much welcomed control over his or her health records. Limitations are put in place that will allow personal privacy. Consequently your health records cannot be used or accessed arbitrarily. Generally the medical institution, practitioner and plan cannot revealan individual\'s healthcare information without his or her consent. The information is primarily accessible for treatment, healthcare operations and payment. The healthcare plan and medical practitioner must follow these particular rules to comply with the designated standards.

Some guidelines Include

Inform the patients of privacy rights. This will also apply to plan participants who will maintain identical protection.
Institute a adequate training program to familiarize workers with the accepted procedures related to the confidentiality of information.
Institute all the necessary privacy measures and procedures.
Ensure that all records with personal information is safeguarded.
Institute additional personnel to ensure that the measures and procedures are being properly enforced by all workers.


The Benefits of the Health Insurance Probability Accountability Act


• It will decrease occurrences where persons are excluded from sufficient coverage because of preexisting health problems
• It will give credit to people who were previously refused full health coverage. Also it will assist in the process of supplying certificates which will demonstrate the previous period of coverage to a newly acquired insurer or group plan.
• It will allow the individual to request additional health coverage if they lose original health coverage, alter the coverage by entering wedlock or by adding another dependent.
• It will eliminate discrimination that manifests when individuals attempt to acquire a much needed health plan. It will also remove the additional amount charged per year to particular employees and their dependents. This means that regardless of the health status of the persons they will still be able to get health coverage.
• Secures the ability of large and small institutions to qualify for health plan coverage.
• Guarantees that the state will be adequately involved in health insurance regulation, which will subsequently result in better personal protection.


Conclusion

The Health Insurance Probability Accountability Act or HIPAA is an important measure that protects personal rights as previously mentioned. Without this very beneficial measure many people would be determined to be uninsurable and lose any possible benefits of holding health insurance. Because those who are sickly are most likely to be refused health coverage, HIPAA is consequently a necessity particularly for persons that are within this category. Having this very essential measure put in place will limit the amount of persons who are unfairly dealt with insurers or health coverage providers. It is possible to find the particular laws that govern the HIPAA online. There are websites available with links to the entire detailed set of laws that may better assist your comprehension of the laws.