Federal Regulations Effecting Small Businesses HIPAA

(Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act)

April 14, 2004 was the deadline for many businesses to be in compliance with this important federal legislation. This first implementation of HIPAA dealt with Portability. The information you have been hearing about recently deals with Privacy. Here are the simple answers to frequently asked questions:

Does HIPAA apply to you as an employer? YES

Are you required by law to have documentation showing that you are in compliance? YES

What does it take for your business to be in compliance?

If your business activity involves gathering and handling "protected health information" (PHI) regarding employees and their dependents, then you will have no choice but to take numerous steps to ensure compliance with HIPAA. (Our agency falls into this group.)

or

If you can document that you do not receive such "protected health information", your compliance will be much simpler.

What should you do next?

Our advice about dealing with a complex law is to consult a competent lawyer.

Get the advice of your corporate attorney on this matter.

or

Contact an attorney who specializes in this field.

What else?

HIPAA is one more reason that you should think about your business's insurance regarding Employment Practices Liability and Employee Benefits Liability. Contact us for details.