– By Karen Saul, President, The HR Group
In 1996, The Health Insurance and Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), was signed by former President Bill Clinton. It has become a household name, but many households, businesses and physicians’ offices are still working on understanding what the entire act encompasses. Family members find it harder to learn about the condition of a loved one when they visit the hospital, employers are no longer privy to any personal health information and physicians’ offices are not leaving files out for anyone to walk by and review. HIPAA Solutions Rx (www.hipaarx.net) reports, "The intention of HIPAA was to standardize and streamline electronic data transfers, but it also includes changes that prohibit discrimination against employees and dependents based on their health status."
Both small and large businesses are spending many hours learning about compliance with regard to the HIPAA regulations. "HIPAA has made employers more aware of their employees’ right to privacy," said Karen Saul, president and CEO of The HR Group. "It is important to be educated on HIPAA because it was enacted to provide a standard for a patient’s privacy and personal medical information." HIPAA allows employees to not be discriminated against due to their past or current health situation.
Most employers are still translating the HIPAA law, but training seminars and classes are being offered for individuals and groups. Web sites have become dedicated to providing answers for HIPAA questions. The law effects everyone from nurse to doctor and from administrative assistant to benefits manager. The role could be as simple as logging off their computer each day or locking files up as they leave the office.
Here are a few tips for making the implementation of HIPAA smooth.
1. Designate one person to attend training seminars and manage the regulations.
2. Develop a training program for all department heads.
3. Distribute HIPAA (privacy notices) requirements to all employees.
4. Determine a storage system for all files related to personal health information of employees.
HIPAA was initiated to standardize the transfer of any health records and information, keep personal health information private and keep employees from being discriminated against based on their information. Employers should recognize the regulations and be consistent with the employees’ records. HIPAA should not be viewed as a demon in the workplace. To learn more about HIPAA visit www.hipaa.org or contact The HR Group at www.hrgrp.com or (615) 244-8484.