Frequently Asked Questions: Q:
What is HIPAA?
A: A federal law signed in August 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) calls for changes in health insurance, and in many health care transactions and administrative information systems and practices.
More specifically, one section of the law deals with three main issues: (1) federal standards for electronic data interchange among health care providers and health plans; (2) federal privacy standards protecting the confidentiality and integrity of patient health information; and (3) federal security standards for protecting access to electronic and other health information.
Although some of our practices will change as a result of HIPAA, in many cases these new regulations contain provisions that were already required by Washington state law or were already a part of professional practice. Q:
Who is required to comply with these regulations?
A: Three types of organizations are covered by HIPAA: (1) providers - doctors, hospitals and others - who carry out certain business activities electronically, (2) health plans and (3) “clearinghouses,” or go-between organizations that help providers and health plans do business electronically.
As health care providers, we know that our patients and communities expect us to maintain the privacy of health information. To that end, we’re already taking steps to comply with HIPAA as an extension of our mission and commitment to quality care. Q:
When does HIPAA go into effect?
A: The HIPAA regulations are organized into three sections, which each have a different effective date. The first deadline, having to do with privacy, is April 14, 2003. The security deadline is late 2003. And the deadline having to do with electronic data interchange (bills, payments, etc.), is October 16, 2003. Q:
How will HIPAA affect my health care, if at all?
A: The goal of the HIPAA regulations is to maintain or improve the current level of health care quality. It is our hope that HIPAA will enhance the doctor-patient relationship by allowing for more open communication and thus more effective treatment. Q:
What is Grays Harbor Community Hospital currently doing to protect the privacy of my personal medical records?
A: As part of our existing practices, great care is taken in the handling of patient health information. Washington state laws currently in effect, professional ethics as well as general business ethics shape our treatment of this information. Q:
How will HIPAA change the practices of Grays Harbor Community Hospital ?
A: HIPAA creates a minimum privacy requirement for all 50 states. Washington state, however, will retain a number of pre-existing privacy laws because they are stricter than the HIPAA regulations.
While our existing policies and procedures already do much to safeguard your medical records, HIPAA will help the entire health care industry standardize and continue to enhance privacy and security practices.
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Have you heard of HIPAA? Are you concerned about the security of your medical records? Do you want to know what Grays Harbor Community Hospital is doing to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act?
If you're interested in any of the above, check out our latest list of frequently asked questions
below. And if you don't find the answer you need, feel free to contact our HIPAA Compliance Office at
360 537-5032.