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First Choice Health HIPAA Statement
Background
In August 1996 the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
was signed into law. This legislation is designed to improve the portability
and continuity of health benefits, to ensure greater accountability in the area
of health care fraud, and to simplify the administration of health insurance.
In Title II of the Act, a subsection entitled Administrative Simplification has
resulted in new regulations mandating compliance with a wide range of health
information management and privacy standards.
This statement provides a summary of the First Choice Health HIPAA position and
implementation plan.
First Choice Health is a Business Associate
First Choice Health functions as a Business Associate to clients, employers,
and providers. As a Business Associate, First Choice Health supports the HIPAA
requirements and establishes standards and policies according to the terms set
forth in our Business Associate Agreements.
First Choice Health makes no warranty or representation on behalf of Covered
Entities that they will be in compliance with the HIPAA regulations. Covered
Entities as defined by §164.501 are solely responsible for HIPAA compliance for
their own purposes, regardless of their business relationship with First Choice
Health.
The information provided in this document does not constitute, and is no
substitute for, legal or other professional advice. Users should consult their
own legal or other professional advisors for individualized guidance regarding
the application of the law to their particular situations, and in connection
with other compliance-related concerns.
Electronic Transactions Standard
First Choice Health supports and encourages fully compliant HIPAA claims
transactions implementing the following designated X12N transactions:
- Health claims or equivalent encounter information (837 P and I)
- Enrollment and disenrollment (834)
- Eligibility for a health plan (270 / 271)
- Payment and remittance advice (835)
- Health claims status (276 / 277)
If you are interested in direct submission of claims using the ANSI X12 format
you may contact us at
EDI@fchn.com for any
assistance.
Privacy Standard
The purpose of the Privacy Rule is to protect the rights of individuals with
respect to their individually identifiable health information. First Choice Health Business
Associate Agreements, policies and standards intend to reasonably safeguard all
individually identifiable health information.
Security Standard
The standards for the security of electronic protected health information
(ePHI) are to be implemented by health plans, health care clearinghouse, and
certain health care providers. The purpose of the Security Rule is to establish
a level of protection for certain electronic health information. The Security
Rules assure the integrity and confidentiality of ePHI collected, maintained,
used or transmitted. First Choice Health policies and standards intend to reasonably safeguard
all individually identifiable health information.
Collaborative Effort
First Choice Health participates in a voluntary, collaborative effort of health
plans, providers and vendor organizations. Various groups meet to address:
-
Implementation of the electronic transactions in a standardized manner,
whenever possible. (Note: agreement about the implementation standards is
guided by legislation contained in the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act).
-
Use of secure Internet-based technology and protocols.
Contact
For questions regarding the First Choice Health Electronic Transactions
Standards, please contact contact the e-Commerce Project Manager at EDI@fchn.com.
For questions regarding the First Choice Health Business Associate Agreement,
please contact the Regulatory Compliance Manager at 206-268-2374 or
compliance@FCHN.com.
For questions regarding the First Choice Health Security Standards, please
contact our Security Administrator at 206-268-2922 or
security@fchn.com.
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