What You Need to Know About HIPAA

HIPAA laws may protect some of your private information, but it’s not all that many think it is. Most of us will barely skim the HIPAA form and sign it anyway, not really knowing what it is. Bottom line; these laws are in place to mainly protect you from identity theft. It was also intended to protect being denied care, health insurance coverage through an employer, but this is only in certain circumstances.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was established in 1996. These laws created a new standard in the protection of individuals’ personal and health information. Many of us need to use a number of physicians, hospitals or clinics, while all of our information follows us. This health information is likely to be transported electronically. These laws specifically are made to protect your personal information through these particular channels.

What, exactly, does HIPAA protect you from? These laws keeps safe your personal information such as birth date, address and Social Security Number. Information such as physical and mental conditions, past, present and future, must be protected. Any information that it does not cover must be personally non-identifiable. By enacting these laws, it means more protection for you against identity theft and firmer remedies if this did happen.

HIPAA laws also define how health insurance providers can use your information. They may only use your information without your permission if it is necessary to provide the best health care, sending information to you and, of course, collection on medical expenses. Any other reasons to transfer this information must be authorized by you, in writing. In addition, any authorization must be in plain English so it is understood that you know exactly what you are signing.

It was once believed that these health information laws covered customers from being denied access to medical insurance. This is only true in some cases. For example, it may protect you from being denied health coverage through an employer. But as insurance companies continuously work on being more profitable by denying more coverage, you are more likely to not be protected.

It is clear that the HIPAA laws no longer protect against health insurance denial. It is apparent that insurance reform of some type is the only answer. Find out more about the laws in your state. Even if you love your health insurance provider, don’t believe that they love you enough to guarantee the insurance you need when you get sick.

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