User Type Consumer Associates Quick Links Privacy Notice What is HIPAA? About the HIPAA Effort Contact Us

HIPAA Privacy & Security What is HIPAA? HIPAA is the acronym for the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191). This federal law address many aspects of healthcare services in USA. The major components of HIPAA -Privacy, Security and Transactions - are indeed pervasive in many people's job responsibilities. DHHS employees will have exposure to HIPAA, and all workforce members were compliant by the posted deadlines of April 2003 and October 2003. The main purpose of HIPAA is to simplify and encourage the electronic transfer of administrative and financial health care data by replacing the many non-standard formats now being used nationally with a single set of electronic transactions to be used by the entire health care industry. All "covered entities" employees are required by HIPAA  to become aware of basic facts regarding HIPAA. They are required to be aware of these concepts, including definitions of key terms (e.g. "Protected Health Information", "safeguards", "use and disclosure", "business associates", "Privacy Notice", "minimum necessary", and "x12 transactions"), how to report privacy violations, and how to use policies and procedures to maintain compliance level. Click on these links to learn more about HIPAA. "HIPAA Facts, in brief"