This document provides information about HIPAA regulations. It explains that HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and protects individuals' health information. It discusses rules around privacy of health information, use of standard electronic transaction formats, and security measures. It emphasizes the importance of protecting patient privacy and outlines scenarios where patient information should not be shared, such as on social media, with friends and family, or to reporters without permission. Violations of HIPAA can result in fines or jail time.

1. What you need to know ?

2. "HIPAA" is the acronym for
the federal legislation titled
Health Insurance
Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996.

3. • Health Plans (self insured/insured, HMOs, health
insurance companies, employer health plans, and
similar arrangements)
• Health Care Providers (who transmit electronic
transactions covered by the HIPAA regulations)
• Health Care Clearinghouses
• Medicare Part D Pharmaceutical Providers

4.  Privacy - provides new rules in regard to how an
individual's health information may be used and
disclosed. Transaction and Code Sets - requires the
use of standard transaction formats and code sets
when an individual's financial health information is
transmitted electronically. Security - requires specific
security measures to be in place to protect an
individual's health information that is sent or stored
electronically. National Provider Identifier - requires
health care providers (both individuals and
organization providers) to obtain and use a universal,
single health care provider identifier in the HIPAA
standard transactions no later than 5/23/07.

5.  HIPAA violations result in loss of :
 employment
 fines
 even jail time!
 It is important to make the right decisions!

6. If you are talking with friends or family,
should you let them know that you
saw another friend
or family member
being admitted to the
hospital you work in?

7. NO! If a person is a patient at the
hospital, it is protected!
 You must protect their information, even if
the information is, that they are there!

8. Suppose you are transporting
a patient who is getting
discharged and suddenly
they become ill. You need
to call your boss to say the escort
request was cancelled. Does it matter
where you make the call?

9. Yes! If you are discussing a patient,
talk, in private areas in the hospital!
The lobby, busy hospital hallway, or
any area where someone can over
hear is not the appropriate place to
discuss patient information.

10. Do you like face book? How about
twitter or other social sites? It is a
great way to communicate with family
& friends! Every time you share
something online, you have a decision
to make. Should you tell your friends
and family what happened at work?

11.  No! Never write about a patient on face
book or any other social sites. Even if you
do not mention the patient’s name.
 This includes pictures. Pictures of patients
should not be share with anyone outside of
the appropriate medical personnel and
only shared for medical reasons.

12.  Information on patients on the computer
should be password protected.
 Suppose you are working on a computer
and I coworker wants to use it real quick.
They tell you do not have to log off. They
can use it under your name and password.
What do you say?

13.  No! Protect patient information by
protecting your work password and user
name.
 You are responsible if someone uses you
password and username to access and
use inappropriately patient information.

14. Suppose a news paper or TV
reporter approaches you
wanting information about a
famous patient in you hospital.
What do you say?

15. NO! All patients, famous or not,
has a right to have their medical
information kept private.
Tell them to contact your
supervisor.

16. TELL YOUR
SUPERVISOR OR
CONTACT THE
HIPAA OFFICE!