Please discuss this format because this is what I sent the instructor The topic I chose to discuss is the history of HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). HIPAA was originally enacted in 1996. In 2003, the part of the Act relevant to privacy directed the Department of Health and Human Services to write a health privacy rule. HIPAA gives each patient some rights, but HIPAA also permits uses and disclosures of health records without the patient’s consent. Standardization Before HIPAA, rules and regulations lacked consistency, diverse by state, and were split among government. Confusion as to which regulations were applicable. There was no uniformity between state and federal requirements. Congress recognized the increased use of electronic technology, the potential for abuse or compromise, and the need to establish security and privacy standards for it. We have all heard news stories about electronic information being mistakenly lost, stolen, or inadvertently sent to the wrong place. Steps to HIPAA Security Compliance HIPAA Security Compliance ensure that their current computer security complies with the HIPAA standards, Physicians should take responsibility for understanding how health information technology is used in their practice, taking a proactive approach to computer security now, will prevent trouble later. Health Fraud and abuse The HIPAA Act established a comprehensive program to combat fraud committed against all health plans, both public and private. The Fraud and Abuse Control Program (HCFAC) is designed to coordinate Federal, State and local law enforcement activities with respect to health care fraud and abuse. .