HIPAA: Privacy, Electronic Transactions Standards and Security

HIPAA administrative simplification rules are intended to simplify and streamline the health care claims and payment process through the implementation of national standards. The rules also require that your health information be protected from unauthorized use or disclosure. The three components of the rules are privacy, electronic data transaction standards and security. The privacy rule came into effect on April 14, 2003 and establishes limits on how your health information can be used and disclosed. The transaction standards rule, which sets out uniform methods for conducting electronic transactions, was effective on October 16, 2003. The security rule requires safeguards for health information maintained in electronic form, and was effective on April 21, 2005.

If you have any questions about HIPAA and need further information, please contact the ETF’s Privacy Officer toll free at 1-877-533-5020.