Phase 3 Group ProjectIndividual Submission

Rick FindleyColorado Technical University Online

The Health Care IndustryHCM307-0903A-01

Julie Mathews, ProfessorDue: August 4, 2009

Introduction

• Healing Hands Hospital has recently gained reaccreditation by the Joint Commission.

• Mr. Wood has tasked the PR committee with promoting this reaccreditation as well as our full compliance with HIPAA.

• An overview of HIPAA including key aspects of the regulation will be reviewed.

• Examples of how HIPAA affects Healing Hands Hospital

and staff as a provider also will be reviewed.

What is HIPAA?

• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was signed into law by President Bill Clinton.

• HIPAA protects nearly 25 million Americans who– Change employment.– Are self-employed.– Have a pre-existing medical condition.

• HIPAA prohibits health insurance carriers from rejecting coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions.

• HIPAA also enforces accountability by enacting regulations protecting the privacy of personal health information.

Portability

• Portability addresses-– Portability in and of itself.– Nondiscrimination.

• Portability itself equates to HHH-– Accepting medical coverage coming in.– Ensuring medical coverage going out.

• HHH must also ensure new employees are not discriminated against due to pre-existing medical conditions.

Accountability

• This aspect of HIPAA receives predominantly more attention than portability.

• Centers around protection of patient information and patient privacy.

• Steps taken to improve technology-– $3.8 billion dollar cost.– $9 billion in cost savings.

• American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 strengthens HIPAA by addressing technology issues.

The Healing Hands Approach

• Ensure 100% compliance with HIPAA by-– Ensuring portability.– Ensuring nondiscrimination.– Ensuring our technology is up to standard.– Ensuring our procedures are up to standard.– Ensuring a comprehensive training program is

established and implemented.

• Following these recommendations will support our claim of 100% compliance with HIPAA.

Conclusion

• HIPAA is one of the most significant pieces of legislation to affect the healthcare industry.

• HIPAA places emphasis on protection of our most valued resources- our staff and our patients.

• Compliance with HIPAA ensures peace of mind by– Ensuring portability.– Ensuring nondiscrimination– Ensuring protection of patient information and privacy.

References

• Barry, G., & Grossmeier, J. (2009, July). Is Your Incentive Strategy Sound? Guidelines for Designing a HIPAA Compliant Wellness Program. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from Associates Programs Source Plus database.

• Course Materials. (2009). Retrieved July 25, 2009 from CTUO, Virtual Campus, HCM307-0903A-01: The Health Care Industry, Phase 3. www.campus.ctuonline.edu.

• Dranove, D. (2007, October). Code Red- Insurance Portability. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from Kellogg School of Management web site: http

://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/index.php/codered/blog/insurance_portability/.

• Healthcare Risk Management. (2009, June). HIPAA compliance becoming even harder. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from CINAHL database.

References

• Ledford, J. (2007, March). HIPPA Compliance Gaps. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from Faulkner Security Management Practices database.

• Ledford, J. (2002, October). Hitting the moving target of HIPAA requirements. Retrieved July 26, 2009, from Faulkner Security Management Practices database.

• Mondy, R. (2008). Human resource management (10th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson-Prentice Hall. P. 329.

• Shi, L., & Singh, D. (2005). Essentials of the US healthcare system. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. P. 302.