What is HIPAA personally identifiable information?

Answer 1

HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. It was passed to require "covered entities" (businesses that treat patients using health insurance or offering health-care services) to work with personally identifiable information in a confidential manner. All agencies that provide health-care must be sure to keep all patient information secure and confidential in email, fax, conversation, phone, and other forms of transferring patient information. HIPAA also protects patient files from being accessed from "outsiders" (individuals who are not documented on a patient's file to receive information). In cases such as these, the patient must complete a form known as an "authorization of release of information" form, which entitles a family member, friend, caregiver, or spouse to the patient file. The family member, friend, caregiver, or spouse does not have access to the patients file unless this form is signed and dated. These forms are usually abbreviated ROI or AROI.

HIPAA has afforded a lot of people confidentiality and security over their medical and mental health records. However, this Act has also created a lot of barriers to proper care, primarily mental health care. When an individual is being treated for severe mental health and a family member needs information on where a loved one has been hospitalized or cared for, a health-care provider cannot give this information to a family member unless they are documented on that patients file. HIPAA covers all individuals 18 and older, including 14 year olds in some states such as Pennsylvania.