Overview
 The
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of
1996 was designed to facilitate health insurance reform, implement standards
for the transfer of health data, and protect the privacy of healthcare
consumers. On April 14, 2003, compliance with the HIPAA Privacy
Rule will become mandatory for all covered entities except for small
health plans. This new law restricts the use and disclosure of protected
health information and provides consumers with greater access to
and control over their own medical records. While the Privacy Rule
was not designed to impede public health practice, it is clear
that the implementation of this rule presents some serious challenges
to public health practice. This program will discuss these challenges
and present strategies for preserving and promoting effective public
health practice within the new HIPAA environment. Join us as we
share the experiences and best practices of Thurston County, Washington,
a community where public health leaders and their community partners
are working together to comply with the Privacy Rule and protect
the public's health.
Goal
This program will
seek to foster understanding of the HIPAA Privacy Rule by providing
information about compliance and discussing the implications for public
health practice.
Objectives
- Identify entities
that must comply with the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
- Describe three
applications of the HIPAA Privacy Rule to local health departments.
- Discuss three
ways in which the Privacy Rule will impact public health practice.
- Identify three
strategies to limit the effects of the Privacy Rule on public health
activities.
Audience
Public health leaders,
managers, and professionals from local and state government agencies,
boards of health, community organizations, academic institutions, federal
agencies, and others who seek to learn more about the HIPAA Privacy
Rule and its effect on public health practice.
No presenter in this program has a financial interest
or other relationship with manufacturers of commercial products, providers
of commercial services or commercial supporters.
No presenter in this program will discuss the unlabeled
use of commercial products or products for investigational use.
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