Following some confusion, a Survey & Certification Letter sent last week has reaffirmed CMS’s stance on texting patient information, specifying that messages sent among clinicians are permissible so ... Sections 261 through 264 of HIPAA require the Secretary of HHS to publicize standards for the electronic exchange, privacy and security of health information. Collectively these are known as the Administrative Simplification provisions.

Understanding the Context

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 establishes federal standards protecting sensitive health information from disclosure without patient's consent. Title I of HIPAA regulates the availability and breadth of group health plans and certain individual health insurance policies. It amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code. Our HIPAA explained article provides information about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Administrative Simplification Regulations – which include the HIPAA Privacy Rule, HIPAA Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule.

Key Insights

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is the main Federal law that protects health information. The HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules protect the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information. HIPAA Basics - ONC - Office of the National Coordinator for Health ... Covered entities and business associates must follow HIPAA rules. If you don’t meet the definition of a covered entity or business associate, you don’t have to comply with the HIPAA rules.

Final Thoughts