General HIPAA Statement

The CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) signed into law in August 1996 impacts all areas of the healthcare industry.

The major components of this regulation are:

• Transaction and data standards

• Privacy protection regulations

• Security and confidentiality standards.

Transaction and Data Standards
Standards for transactions and data elements for transactions exchanged electronically. Compliance is required for all “covered entities” by October 16^th, 2002.  Virtually all healthcare providers are “covered entities” and therefore are subject to this component.  Application for one-year extensions to the October 16^th, 2002 deadline must be completed and filed with CMS before October 16^th, 2002 for all providers unable to comply with this component.  

DARA Medical billing currently is compliant with the new transaction and data standards.  The clearinghouses (designated by HIPAA as “business associates”) currently used by DARA Medical Billing Services were fully compliant with the new transaction standards on October 16^th , 2002 .  PARC Medical Billing Service has been informed many health plans have applied for the one-year extension to the October 16^th, 2002 deadline.

Privacy Protection Regulations
Privacy regulations to protect the privacy and confidentiality of health information.
Compliance is required for all “covered entities” by April 14^th, 2003.  At this time there is no provision available for extension to this deadline.

DARA Medical Billing Services has always protected the privacy of health information.  DARA Medical Billing Services and its “business associates” are currently compliant with the privacy law and continually evaluate appropriate changes as required to maintain compliance with this HIPAA component.

Security and Confidentiality Standards
Standards for security of health information which is electronically stored, maintained or transmitted. This component is currently finalized as of April 15, 2003.  Compliance with this component will be required 24 months after adoption and publication.

DARA Medical Billing Services has always secured the confidentiality of health information. DARA Medical Billing Services and its “business associates” are evaluating the finalized regulations and will be making changes as necessary to be in compliance with this HIPAA component by the required due date.

IF YOUR HEALTHCARE PRACTICE IS IN DANGER OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE TRANSACTION AND DATA STANDARDS, YOU MAY FORFEIT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND OTHER HEALTH PLANS.  CONTACT US FOR ASSISTANCE IN BECOMING COMPLIANT AND MAINTAIN YOUR PROVIDER ELIGIBILITY STATUS.  WE OFFER SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:

• ASSESS THE IMPACT OF HIPAA ON YOUR BUSINESS

• ESTABLISH A HIPAA PROJECT & COMPLIANCE PLAN

• EVALUATE BUSINESS ASSOCIATES & CONTRACTS

• INTEGRATE HIPAA INTO CURRENT OPERATIONS

• DEVELOP WORKABLE POLICIES & PROCEDURES.