This document explains how medical practitioners and healthcare entities such as
doctor's offices, clinics, hospitals, HMOs and pharmacies can take the help of a
document management solutions to achieve compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act).
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What is HIPAA?
HIPAA stands for the Health
Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act. HIPAA is a
federal guideline that aims to
ensure that patient information and
records are protected and maintain
their integrity.
The US government passed the act
on August 21, 1996. President Bush
decided to allow the rule to take
effect on April 14, 2001. HIPAA
required effected entities to comply
within two years i.e. by April 14,
2003.
Under HIPAA a patient has the
right to access his or her own
medical records. Patients can
request to view or get copies of
their records, request modifications
to the records and request a listing
of disclosures of their protected
information.
In addition to this HIPAA privacy
regulations control how and when
protected patient information can be
shared by physicians and
administrative staff.
HIPAA will also help bring down
medical administrative costs and
improve the healthcare delivery
effectiveness.
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