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 What is HIPAA? |
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| The U.S. Congress
enacted the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 for 2 basic reasons:
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- The "P" (Portability) in
HIPAA became effective several years ago and has
already been implemented. This provision gives certain
protections to individuals when they change health
care coverage;
- The first "A"
(Accountability) in HIPAA addresses administrative
simplification that will result in more efficient/cost
effective insurance company operations. Accountability
also provides for the protection of the privacy of an
individual's health information or Protected Health
Information (PHI)
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PHI is at the heart of
the Privacy Regulation under HIPAA and is the basis for
many of its protections and requirements. PHI is any
health related information that is created, maintained,
transferred or received by the covered entity that
identifies an individual, or reasonably could be used to
identify an individual.
Examples include but are
not limited to: Information on an application
for health insurance, medical records, social security
numbers, and policy numbers.
A "covered entity" is defined as a
health plan, a health care clearing house, or a health
care provider that transfers (accepts & transmits)
health information electronically. The following
entities must comply with HIPAA
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- Health Plan -
Insurance Company, HMO's (providers of health
coverage/plans)
- Health Care Providers -
Hospitals, doctors, providers of health care services
(home health care, dentists, etc.)
- Health Care
Clearing house - Companies that provide
specific services (claims status, claim submission,
premium payment, etc.)
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The family of Conseco
insurance companies has been defined as an "Affiliated
Covered Entity" (ACE). This means that all Conseco
companies that use or share Protected Health
Information, will be able to work in partnership to
implement and maintain HIPAA requirements. Our Notice of
Privacy Practices lists all companies within the Conseco
family.
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The content associated with this
site is intended for informational purposes only and should not be
used as legal advise. Conseco encourages you to consult your
professional and legal counselors for guidance on HIPAA and how it
impacts you.
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Affiliated Covered Entity:
Bankers Life and Casualty Company, Conseco Insurance Company, a life and health insurance company, Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Conseco Health Insurance Company, Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company, Conseco Life Insurance Company, Conseco Senior Health Insurance Company, Washington National Insurance Company.
Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company (formerly Conseco Life Insurance Company of New York) is the only company listed above that is licensed in or solicits business in the state of New York. |
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