In recent years you may have noticed that when you or your loved one heads to a doctor’s office, they may be asked to sign a HIPPA form. Quite often these forms are presented with little or no explanation as to what they are. Just what is HIPPA and what purpose do these forms serve?

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

HIPPA is a law that was passed in 1996, and its primary function is to protect the health information of individuals. The US government saw that as the use of computers and data storage became more and more prevalent, steps would need to be taken to protect this information from unscrupulous data miners who might seek to take advantage of it.

What Information Is Protected?

The law very clearly defines just what “health information” is and what information falls into a protected category. Protected information is any information that:

  • Contains a record of a person’s mental or physical health in the past, present or even in the future
  • Contains a record of healthcare procedures or provisions that were provided to an individual
  • Contains payment records of healthcare procedures in the past, present or the future for an individual

HIPPA also protects demographic information such as income, sex, race and other identifying data.

What HIPPA Means to You

HIPPA protects your privacy. This means that should you or a loved one become incapacitated and unable to communicate then information about the condition cannot be conveyed to anyone else; including family and close friends.

The best way to navigate HIPPA is with a living will. Contact Stano Law group today to speak about a living will or healthcare power of attorney.