title: HIPAA's privacy rule: what is it, and how does it affect you?
abstract: This article discusses the implications for stakeholders of the privacy rule under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, on which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services first released guidance on July 6, 2001. Although guidance will continue to evolve, the authors urge organizations to initiate the implementation of policies to ensure compliance by the actual effective date of 2003. (Small health plans have until 2004 to comply.)
authors.affiliation: William M. Mercer, Incorporated, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balezentis
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halterman
mesh_terms: D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D020408:Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; D011640:Public Policy; D014481:United States