HIPAA Privacy and Security

The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, known as HIPAA, was passed to establish a national framework for security standards and protection of confidentiality and privacy with regard to health care data and information. 45 CFR 160, 45 CFR 162, 45 CFR 164

All health care plans, health care clearinghouses and health care providers that transmit health information in electronic form must comply with HIPAA regulations.

What HIPAA Covers

HIPAA includes requirements related to the privacy, security and electronic transmission of health information. These requirements help protect individually identifiable health information and guide how covered entities may use, disclose and safeguard that information.

Privacy and Security Responsibilities

HIPAA regulations are organized into three primary areas:

• Administrative Simplification: Regulations which create uniform standards and requirements for the electronic transmission of health information.
• Security: Regulations which require providers and others who maintain health information to maintain the security and integrity of individually identifiable health information.
• Privacy: Regulations which set forth general rules for the uses and disclosures of individually identifiable health information by providers and others.

The implications of these federal regulations are considerable.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced changes in January 2013, called the Omnibus Rule, to provide the public with increased control over personal health information as a result of enhanced enforcement by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Act (HITECH) enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and other rule making proceedings since 2009.

Questions About HIPAA Privacy

For questions about HIPAA privacy, contact the Institutional Privacy Officer.

Institutional Privacy Officer:
Obumneme Eze
Phone: 915-215-4459
Email: obumneme.eze@ttep.edu

Questions About HIPAA Security

For questions about HIPAA security, contact the Information Security Office.

Information Security Office:
Email: elpasoISO@ttep.edu

Website Feedback

As part of our efforts to improve the El Paso HIPAA website, we are interested in your thoughts and suggestions regarding these web pages. Please submit your suggestions or thoughts to elpasocomplianceoffice@ttep.edu.