Why HIPAA Is Important?

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The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was created for the confidentiality, security and exchange of medical information. As an employee in the medical field all members should be familiar with HIPAA. Since most offices use Medical Assistants to complete tasks of front office the Medical Assistants should and has the responsibility to know HIPAA regulations. As technology advances many changes have occurred, ElectronicMedical Records (EMR) being one of the most important. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was created in 1996 with the purpose of protecting health information. “A major goal of the Privacy Rule is to assure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health…show more content…
A patient’s medical record could be very dangerous in the wrong hands, therefore it is extremely important that the medical assistant protects any medical record regardless of whose it is. “The American Medical Association has its own code of ethics it expects doctors and other health care providers to follow regarding patient confidentiality” (EverestCollege). The medical assistant should be very careful with every little detail as these can lead to HIPAA violations and/or legal issues. Everything said in the office should be treated with discretion. There are some easy steps that any medical assistant or medical office employee can use to prevent HIPAA violations; “Only discuss medical issues behind closed doors. Always carry patient charts and other medical documents in ways that doesn't display the patient's name. Don't "shoulder surf" -- look over a coworker's shoulder to peek at patient information” (EverestCollege). Just to mention some, but of course MA should always refer to HIPAA guidelines for any changes or new
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