The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule became effective April 14, which means it's time to pay attention if you haven't done so already. . .
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule became effective April 14, which means it's time to pay attention if you haven't done so already.

HIPAA is a set of federal regulations intended to protect and simplify the exchange of health care data. Compliance deadlines have been stretched out over the next few years. Compliance means doing everything in your power to follow the letter and spirit of the law without going out of business.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule is federal law, and anyone not in compliance can face up to $250,000 in fines and jail time of up to 10 years. The rule applies to electronic protected health information -- essentially, patients' medical records and other personal health care information. It affects companies that transmit protected health information in electronic form, which includes health plans, health care clearinghouses and health care providers. These organizations are referred to as "covered entities."

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