title: HIPAA is larger and more complex than Y2K.
abstract: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a larger and more complex problem than Y2K ever was. According to the author, the costs associated with a project of such unending scope and in support of intrusion into both information and operational systems of every health care transaction will be incalculable. Some estimate that the administrative simplification policies implemented through HIPAA will save billions of dollars annually, but it remains to be seen whether the savings will outweigh implementation and ongoing expenses associated with systemwide application of the regulations. This article addresses the rules established for electronic data interchange, data set standards for diagnostic and procedure codes, unique identifiers, coordination of benefits, privacy of individual health care information, electronic signatures, and security requirements.
authors.affiliation: Information Management Resources, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tempesco
mesh_terms: D002910:Chronology as Topic; D016494:Computer Security; D003199:Computer Systems / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005161:Facility Regulation and Control; D005568:Forms and Records Control / Q000592:standards; D020408:Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; D019451:Information Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D018907:Privacy; D013995:Time; D014481:United States