What's HIP About the Health Information Privacy

These days a growing number of Americans are fearful about the privacy of their health information. And probably for good reason. Clearly the likelihood of ones private data being disseminated to untold places is growing exponentially by the day as a result of the movement afoot to shift medical records from paper to the electronic age.

It used to be that the intimate details of your health history were secured in one location, typically on the shelves of a hospital or physician office. As a former health care administrator I have seen endless miles of patient files in the medical records departments and have often wondered how vulnerable they are to the curiosity of snooping eyes. With the advent of electronic systems the security of these records has become even more uncertain. Untold numbers of individuals who work for physician offices, hospitals, insurance companies, and myriad other businesses associated with the medical field now have access to this sensitive information. Even worse, this information has made its way into the hands of many hungry marketers eager to solicit your interest in their various products and services.

In part to address the growing public concern regarding the transfer, privacy, and security of health information, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, otherwise known as HIPAA. Specifically the HIPAA Privacy Rule, which became effective in 2003, provides important provisions for most health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses regarding the use and handling of patient health information.