Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act

(10 min.) The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA forbids sharing, transmitting, or divulging of information designated as Protected Health Information or PHI of individuals. It's designed to offer workers specific protections. HIPAA lowers the chance of losing existing coverage, makes it easier to switch health plans, and helps individuals buy their own coverage if they lose the coverage offered by a present or former employer.

Topics covered in this safety video include: HIPAA does not require employers to offer or pay for health coverage for employees or family coverage for their spouses and dependents. HIPAA does not guarantee health coverage for all workers. HIPAA does control the amount an insurer may charge for coverage. HIPAA does not require group health plans to offer specific benefits. HIPAA does not permit people to keep the same health coverage they had in their old job when they move to a new job. HIPAA does not eliminate all use of pre-existing condition exclusions. And HIPAA does not replace the state as the primary regulator of health. HIPAA gives plan participants and beneficiaries the right to inspect and copy their PHI, requires entities to provide individuals with a Notice of Information practices. One of HIPAA's main benefits is the concept of credible coverage. HIPAA compliance is a federal mandate that cannot be ignored. Penalties for non-compliance with HIPAA regulations can result in fines and other sanctions.

Program comes with a CD-ROM of written materials, including test questions and answers. English title also includes PowerPoint presentation.