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The Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act Essay

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1. Introduction The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) applies to health care providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses (“covered entities”) and their business associates. Any HIPPA covered entity should be extremely knowledgeable about HIPPA regulations. Any potential and even harmless disclosure of a patient’s protected health information can leave a physician susceptible to several criminal and civil penalties. A breach or violation of HIPAA occurs when a healthcare provider impermissibly uses or discloses information that compromises the security or privacy of the “protected health information”. In order to compete in the market without being liable for sanctions, a healthcare provider must have a thorough understanding of how to properly run a business without violating HIPAA. 2. Medical information uses and disclosures: Basics Pursuant to HIPPA, a covered entity shall not use or disclose a patient’s protected health information unless HIPPA permits it or the patient authorizes it in writing. However, this rule is not as simple as it appears to be. 3. When may a covered entity use or disclose protected health information without obtaining consent? A covered entity is not legally required to obtain an individual 's authorization for the following for Face-to-face communications (even if the communication would otherwise be considered marketing.) Also, a covered entity does not have to obtain an authorization for

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