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Title II contains HIPAA’s most influential rules and regulations. All of Title II’s various areas are designed to protect individuals’ privacy in regards to their sensitive health care information.
Privacy Rule: The Privacy Rule guarantees the protection and privacy of all of an individual’s identifiable health care information, regardless of how it is transmitted. A series of security standards accompany the rule to explain how health care providers must implement their security systems.
Transactions and Code Sets Rule: This rule is intended to streamline transactions processes among health care institutions in order to ensure that no gaps that could weaken security are present in the various system. The rule applies to all possible forms of transactions, including those made electronically, over the phone and at a pharmacy. There are several specific regulations within the rule, all of which are described in detail at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Web site.
Security Rule: The Security Rule addresses administrative, physical and technical safeguards in regards to health care information that is transmitted electronically. Health care industry associates must ensure that their electronic systems are fully protected from infiltration and must train their staff accordingly.
Unique Identifiers Rule: Before HIPAA, health care professionals used a variety of means to identify themselves when contacting each other. This system was disorganized, inefficient and prone to security breaches. The Unique Identifiers Rule established the employer’s tax identification number as the standard for electronic communications. In addition, all health care professionals must now have an NPI (National Provider ID) that they use when filing claims electronically to insurance companies. An individual’s NPI remains the same regardless of whether he or she changes employers. (Lea Hartog, 4/24/08, HR World)
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