HIPAA Readiness: California's Issues and Challenges

Publication Date: November 2000

Publisher: California HealthCare Foundation

Author(s): Pacific Health Policy Group

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

In the spring of 1999, researchers investigated the steps that were being taken by public agencies, health plans, and providers in California to implement the data transmission and privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. This report evaluates activities at all levels of government and the health care industry, with a particular focus on smaller governmental units and smaller, safety-net health plan/provider organizations in anticipation that such groups may have been less informed about HIPAA requirements. The study was intended to document the level of HIPAA awareness and implementation through secondary research and one-on-one and group interviews with affected parties. In addition, researchers convened an expert panel representing the California health care industry, as well as national advisory organizations. This paper presents a brief description of the HIPAA administrative simplification provisions and the potential barriers or issues California may have faced in implementing HIPAA.