andersba 's Public Library

WHAT IS HIPAA?




"HIPAA" is an acronym for the Health Insurance Portability &
Accountability Act of 1996 (August 21), Public Law 104-191, which amended the
Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986. Also known as the Kennedy-Kassebaum Act,
the Act includes a section, Title II, entitled Administrative Simplification,
requiring:





1. Improved efficiency in healthcare delivery by standardizing electronic data
   interchange, and
   
2. Protection of confidentiality and security of health data through setting
   and enforcing standards.
3. Standardization of electronic patient health, administrative and financial
   data
   
4. Unique health identifiers for individuals, employers, health plans and
   health care providers

The NII refers to that system of advanced computer systems, databases, and
telecommunications networks throughout the United States that make electronic
information widely available and accessible.¹ This includes the
Internet, the

¹ This is the definition used by the National Information
Infrastructure Security Issues Forum. The Forum is a part of the Information
Infrastructure Task Force which was formed by Vice President Gore to articulate
and implement the Administration's vision for the NII. A glossary of definitions
related to this Report is appended as Appendix A

public switched network, and cable, wireless, and satellite
communications