Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act...

Our case assignment deals with Dr. Williams a recent medical school graduate who is licensed and meets the requirements to legally practice medicine. Graduating from an overseas medical school made it difficult finding employment so he chose to operate a medical clinic providing abortion services based on a very profitable clinic operated by a former classmate and friend. Prior to leaving my job as his assistant I witnessed a patient, Joan, suffer an injury resulting from an error by Dr. Williams. In anticipation of Joan filing a lawsuit Dr. Williams shows Joan’s medical records to a friend and asks for advice. His friend tells him to contact his medical malpractice insurance carrier. Has there been a HIPAA violation? Is Dr. Williams†¦show more content†¦Also enforced by OCR, the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (PSQIA) established a voluntary reporting system where data is analyzed and used to enhance the safety and quality of healthcare deli very. PSQIA provides confidentiality protections to healthcare providers who were previously concerned about the use of patient safety event reports in criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. By limiting the use of event reports the fear report medical errors has decreased among many healthcare providers (Medical Errors and Patient Safety, 2008). HIPAA Violation Our case assignment clearly shows that Dr. Williams acted unethically and violated HIPAA by showing his patient’s health record while seeking advice from a friend. His violation was specifically indentified in the Privacy Rule, which protects PHI â€Å"held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate, in any form or media, whether electronic, paper, or oral† (Office for Civil Rights, Privacy Brief, 2003). Whether Dr. Williams is a covered entity or a business associate with a contract is unclear but we can be sure that electronic health care transactions occur in his clinic subjecting him to the Privacy Rule along with other federal statutes and regulations. In our case as an assistant to Dr. Williams and knowing about the unauthorized PHI disclosure I have a responsibility both legally andShow MoreRelatedThe Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act Of 19961022 Words   |  5 Pagessectors of health care, managed care arrangements, integrated service networks, or community agencies. To be an effective manager, it is important to understand the legal and ethical principles that are included in this environment and the legal relationship between consumer and the organization. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, also known as HIPAA, was created to prevent the unauthorized release of patient information. The Office for Civil Rights enforces the HIPAA PrivacyRead MoreCongress Passed Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to Protect Privacy and Health Care699 Words   |  3 Pagesmedical-related situations continuously occurred that made patients question their insurance policies as well a s the privacy of their health care. Congress worked to create a bill containing strict rules regarding insurance policies and availability for one to keep their insurance if they are to move jobs. These rules were soon applied to all medical facilities and faculty and titled the â€Å"Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act†.The H.I.P.A.A. policies brought about change in professionalism, medicalRead MoreHIPAA: Protecting Our Privacy Essay1007 Words   |  5 PagesHIPAA Identity theft has always been in the back of my mind whenever I use my debit card but I wasn’t too concerned about my health information until I learned about HIPAA. It is a very important set of rules and standards that protects our privacy. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA is a statute endorsed by the U.S. Congress in 1996. It offers protections for many American workers which improves portability and continuity of health insurance coverage. The seven titlesRead MoreEmerging Healthcare Technology Presentation1353 Words   |  6 PagesEmerging Healthcare Technology Presentation HIPAA: Protecting the Privacy of Patients How important is it for you to keep your medical records private? Many people dont realize how easily accessible their medical records are, or perhaps it is just assumed that what goes on between a doctor and a patient stays between a doctor and a patient. Well, you know what they say about assuming. In actuality, your medical records can probably be accessed by any employee at your Read MoreHealth Insurance Portability And Affordability Act ( Hipaa )1155 Words   |  5 Pages Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act (HIPAA) Shoshana Weisberg Binghamton University Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act (HIPAA) President Clinton signed the Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act (HIPPA) on August 21, 1996 (Hartley Jones, 2014, Chapter 1). To understand what this act is, a definition of â€Å"portability† and â€Å"affordability† must be provided. Portability guarantees that an employee could obtain health insurance if he or sheRead MoreAnalyzing The Past, Present And Future Of The Congressional Attempt At The Health Care Reform1704 Words   |  7 Pagescongressional attempt at the health care reform. Originally presented to congress was the Health Security Act in 1993, which was not enacted until June 2014. The Health Security Act started the foundation for patient privacy and the security of an individual’s health information. As the years passed the Health Security Act became quickly outdated and needed to be updated to complement the sudden progression of current technology advances. Congress was presented the Kennedy-Kassebaum Act, which defined patie ntRead MoreHealth Insurance Portability And Accountability Act1253 Words   |  6 Pagespatients right to privacy. By ensuring a patients right to privacy, this encourages the patient to be honest with giving information to the healthcare professional and motivates the patient to seek health care when needed (Jessica De Bord, Burke, MD PhD, Dudzinski, PhD MTS, 2013). In 1996, Congress passed an act that enforces the patient’s right to information confidentiality. The act was named, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or for short â€Å"HIPAA†. Not only does HIPAA regulate theRead MoreThe HIPAA Law and Its Importance777 Words   |  3 PagesTopic: The HIPAA Law and Its Importance. General purpose: To inform. Specific Purpose: I want to inform my audience about HIPAA â€Å"Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act†. Thesis: Three things that every patient should new about HIPAA; what is HIPAA, Privacy regulations, and sanctions of violations Introduction: I. [attention getter] In 2013 ISU has agreed to pay 400.000 to the U.S. Department of Health Human Services (HHS) because of alleged violations of HIPAA. About 17,500 patientsRead MoreThe Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act1609 Words   |  7 PagesIt has always been the job of health care providers to maintain doctor-patient confidentiality. Not only is it a legal obligation it is also an ethical obligation to many doctors, nurses, physician’s assistants and many other medical staff. Until recently medical records were primarily recorded on paper and stored in cabinets and locked in what was believed as a secure room. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act also known as HIPAA, was passed on August 21, 1996. Although the lawRead MoreHealth Insurance Portability Act of 1996 (Hippa): Is It Best for Us of Not?1073 Words   |  5 Pagesfor the Health Insurance Portability Act of 1996. Confidentiality is a huge issue to the Health Insurance Port ability and Accountability Act (Hippa) mainly due to protection of the clients. The act sets standards for the storage and privacy of personal medical data. The rule was enacted on August 21, 1996 by the 104th United States Congress and was signed by Bill Clinton. It was introduced in the house by Bill Archer on March 18, 1996. Health Insurance portability and Accountability Act of 1996 helps