What is HIPAA?
The primary stated purpose of the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was “to improve the portability
and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and
individual markets.” Portability of coverage would help eliminate
“job lock” (a person unable to change jobs for fear of losing
health coverage for a medical condition affecting the person
or a family member).
In order to provide coverage that is more portable, HIPAA also
limits exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions by providing
credit for prior medical coverage. Credit for prior health
coverage is verified by certificates that detail such coverage,
called a “certificate of creditable coverage”.
The Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA,
Title II) require the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) to establish national standards for electronic health
care transactions and national identifiers for providers, health
plans, and employers. It also addresses the security and privacy
of health data. Adopting these standards will improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of the nation's health care system
by encouraging the widespread use of electronic data interchange
in health care.
For more information about HIPAA please contact:
Judy Nichpor
HIPAA Privacy Officer
Risk Management Department
1 Government Center, Suite 440
Toledo, OH 43604
419.213.4031, 213.4830 fax
|
Brenda Meyer
Assistant County Prosecutor
711 Adams Street
Toledo, OH 43604
419.213.2055
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