The first point of contact for complaints regarding the HIPAA Privacy Rule is the covered entity itself. Surveys indicate that many complaints from individuals arise due to confusion about the rules. Even staff members of covered entities are not always well-versed in their responsibilities under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, despite its critical role in their services.
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) [1] is one of the organizations responsible for conducting surveys on violations, enforcement, and overall compliance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Individuals dissatisfied with how their complaints about Protected Health Information (PHI) are handled are encouraged to file grievances with the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) [2].
Known Effects of HIPAA Privacy Rule Enforcement
The implementation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule has inevitably caused challenges as covered entities strive to comply and avoid penalties during inspections. Like any regulation, it demands significant time and resources, which are often limited.
Medical practitioners, physicians, and healthcare workers have had to adapt their practices to meet HIPAA Privacy Rule requirements outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [3]. These changes include creating records that meet specified standards, increasing paperwork to better address individual needs, and incurring higher costs associated with implementing and complying with the complex legalities of the Act.
Other Notable Effects of Implementing the HIPAA Privacy Rule
Medical Research
Compliance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule has complicated follow-up surveys due to increased costs and the need for adherence. The time and expense required to recruit participants have risen significantly, as highlighted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health HIPAA Guidance [4].
Clinical Care
There is now a more cautious approach to disclosing medical information, even when such disclosure is essential for patient care, according to the CDC Health Privacy Resources [5].
References
- American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) (.org)
- HHS Office for Civil Rights – HIPAA Enforcement (OCR) (.gov)
- NIST Health Privacy Standards (.gov)
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – HIPAA Guidance (.edu)
- CDC Health Privacy Resources (.gov)