Hsm Law Profile Paper

HSM Law Profile Paper

Sandra Christensen

HSM/230 R 3

05/02/2013

Dr. Michelle Lind

One law that impacts the delivery of human services is the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act of 1996, also known as HIPAA. President Bill Clinton signed it in 1996, and it is comprised of five sections.

These five sections include; Title I which protects the health insurance for employees and their dependents in the event of a loss of employment, or if there is a transition of employment. This excludes the coverage of any pre-existing conditions to no more than 12 months after regular enrollment. The exclusion period can be shortened if continuous previous health coverage was in place prior to enrollment. Continuous coverage is defined as coverage without a break of 63 days or greater.

Title II includes the privacy rule enacted in 2003 to protect a person’s private health information held by "covered entities" such as health plans and most health providers. There are rules stating which information can be disclosed and address cases where child abuse is suspected.

Title III helps employees set up health savings and flexible spending accounts. Health savings accounts are there for employees to take out a set amount from their paycheck, pre-tax, to be used for co-pays, deductibles and other approved out-of-pocket expenses.

Title IV is set up to ensure that client health information is being properly protected and that all health plan requirements are followed.

Title V is directed at company life insurance plans.

It is important for all health care recipients and health care providers to find reliable resources to learn more about the implications of the HIPAA law. Health care providers and health care plans are legally required to follow the HIPAA act, which includes protecting the privacy of a client’s health records and information contained in that client's file. Under HIPAA, a client is allowed to request their health records at any time. Clients are also required to grant authorization for the review of their records by their health care providers. This is the HIPAA waiver that the client signs at their providers' offices. A client is also able to file a complaint to their provider or with the U.S. government if they believe that their HIPAA rights have been violated in any way.

The internet has some beneficial information about HIPAA, HIPAA guidelines, the implications of this law, and is one way to access easy, reliable, resources with accurate information. For example: www.hipaa.com , www.HHS.gov, www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/HIPAA, www.hipaatraining.com,