Institute:Office of National Coordinator (ONC) Workforce Training Curriculum
Component:Introduction to Health Care and Public Health in the U.S.
Unit:Regulating Health Care
Lecture:Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Slide content:Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Improves portability of health insurance Employer plans may not limit coverage due to pre-existing conditions If health insurance is lost, improves access to a group health plan Protects from discrimination based on health status Establishes requirements for the exchange of personally identifiable health information 5
Slide notes:This lecture discusses key elements in maintaining patient confidentiality and promoting the safety of patients. Topics include the privacy and security provisions of HIPAA, nationwide efforts to improve patient safety, the role of the Joint Commission, and the federal Agency for Health Care Research and Quality . It is imperative that health care organizations maintain the privacy and confidentiality of patients health information. Because privacy is a critical legal and ethical concern, it is the subject of numerous regulations. HIPAA is a major source of patient privacy standards. HIPAA was originally signed into law in 1996, with the goal of improving the portability of health insurance, and increasing efficiency through the electronic exchange of patient information. Portability can be thought of as the ability to transfer health insurance coverage. For example, HIPAA limits the ability of a new employer plan to exclude people who have preexisting conditions. For employees who lose group health insurance coverage, HIPAA provides opportunities to enroll in another plan. HIPAA also gives certain individuals guaranteed access to individual health insurance policies. In addition, HIPAA prohibits discrimination against employees and their family members based on their health, including genetic disease . Recognizing that the electronic exchange of patient information may pose a risk to patient privacy, HIPAA establishes requirements that must be met when personally identifiable health information is shared between entities. 5