HIPAA
What is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This is a federal law that must be properly followed by every hospital, medical clinic or dental office which keeps and circulates confidential information about their patients. The purpose behind this act is to keep patient records protected and secure while they are in storage. HIPAA also requires the proper destruction of patient files once they no longer require in-house storing.
HIPAA provides security and privacy of personal health information, including but not limited to health insurance plans, electronic healthcare transactions, and personal identifiers.
Who is subject to HIPAA Compliance?
HIPAA is a federal law and therefore applies to every hospital, medical clinic or dental office that circulates and/or stores private patient records. All health care providers and institutions, as well as any business associates, must establish and follow strict processes that guarantee the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) when it is transferred, received, handled, or shared. This refers to all variations of PHI, such as documents, oral conversations, and electronic data. Furthermore, it’s important that only health information that’s completely vital to perform business processes is used or shared.
What are my Rights Under HIPAA?
As a patient, you have the right to assume that your medical and other health information is kept private, and you should also be informed as to who has access to this data. The Privacy Rule, which is also a Federal law, supplies you with particular rights over your health information and creates rules and restrictions on exactly who can see and receive your private health information.
The Privacy Rule states that HIPAA covered entities provide individuals with access to their protected health information (PHI) in one or more “designated record sets” that is currently in the hands of a healthcare provider if requested. This means you have the ability to review or take a copy of the specific file or have a copy of the PHI transmitted to a person of choice. As a patient, you have permission to access your PHI for the length in which it’s maintained at your health care institution. Individuals have a right to access this PHI for as long as the information is maintained by a covered entity. This remains true regardless of the date the information was collected or created, and whether or not the data is in paper or electronic format. This is a given right; the only drawback of this law is that healthcare entities are welcome to charge for this service if they would like to.
Who does HIPAA Protect?
HIPAA creates a national standard and is in place to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal health information from unauthorized exposure.
Why is HIPAA Important?
HIPAA allows you to instruct who may represent you on your behalf if there is ever an emergency or accident that withholds you from communicating yourself. This is vital for your protection and can be one individual or you may also request several people to speak for you in these circumstances. HIPAA was generated to protect patient privacy. All healthcare institutions must have a compliance department so that if you are ever concerned about a specific compliance problem or breach of data, be sure to get in touch with this department to resolve the issue promptly.
Where can I find more information about HIPAA?
To learn more, visit this link: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers
What People Are Saying About Proshred®
Pro Shred was awesome. Punctual, courteous, and an all-around great experience. If you have shredding needs in St. Louis, this is a must-use vendor!
Michael Buescher2/16/2020On-time, great service and took great care to make things go well. Thank you.
J L4/09/2019On-time, great service and took great care to make things go well. Thank you.
Jim Lowry4/09/2019I contacted them yesterday to seek information. I had four boxes of documents to deal with. You will not find a more professional, courteous and... read moreI contacted them yesterday to seek information. I had four boxes of documents to deal with. You will not find a more professional, courteous and energetic group of people. I could not recommend them more highly! Now, the following day, everything has been shredded (in my presence), and I only wish I had more documents so I could work with them again! Lol read less
Steve Bear6/12/2018This was my first time working with a shredding service. Nguyen was excellent at explaining their service and fees and scheduled us quickly. Correspondence was... read moreThis was my first time working with a shredding service. Nguyen was excellent at explaining their service and fees and scheduled us quickly. Correspondence was prompt and friendly. Howard called before hand as they said he would when he was on his way so we could clear space for them to park the truck. Their service was professional and friendly through the whole process, all for a reasonable price. Highly recommended. read less
angela harris4/17/2018Professional, courteous, efficient and reasonable. My first experience with a shredding company and will definitely be using them again.
Danielle2/26/2018I have known and worked with Nguyen Violette for many years. He is dedicated to offering the best possible customer service! I can not recommend... read moreI have known and worked with Nguyen Violette for many years. He is dedicated to offering the best possible customer service! I can not recommend them highly enough! read less
Jennifer11/16/2017
