Tips For Your Family's Health

Passed in 1996, the HIPAA or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act addresses two important issues in the health and medical field. The first would be the regulation of health insurance coverage for employees when they leave their current employers and the second would be the protection of the quality, security and privacy of electronic medical records.

An electronic medical record or EMR is a tool which is now used by medical and health professionals as well as medical facilities to improve the accuracy and quality of the health care and medical records of patients. Through the provisions of the HIPAA, electronic medical records are properly monitored, preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing protected health information.

Read on to find out more about some of the HIPPA requirements for hospitals and how they can help in making sure that electronic medical records and other patient information are kept secure and confidential.

Protected Information: According to the Department of Health and Human Services or the HHS, hospitals are prohibited from disclosing medical records, medical test results, medical diagnoses and specific details about doctor-patient conversations to third parties, such as employers. However, electronic medical records and other patient information can be shared with the health insurance provider of patient for the purposes of billing and with the other medical professionals who are treating the patient.

Location and General Condition of Patients: According to the HHS, the HIPAA allows hospitals and other medical facilities to inform callers and visitors of the patient’s location and his or her general condition. They can also inform visitors if the patient has already died or has been released.

Clergy: Provided that the patient has given his or her consent, hospitals are allowed to release the location and religious affiliation to the clergy, according to the HHS.

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