Another April Deadline (HIPAA compliance)

If your company is required to comply with the new privacy regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), be reminded that the complex rules go into effect the day before the tax deadline. On April 14 of this year, the sweeping healthcare changes passed in 1996 will apply to companies that sponsor health plans, those that are self-insured, and businesses that provide on-site health care. Companies that sponsor employee assistance plans, flexible spending accounts, dental or visions plans, and wellness programs may also have new responsibilities.

The new requirements involve the way certain employers, health providers and insurer handle “protected health information” to ensure that it remains confidential. Requirements include identifying who has access to protected health information and why, guaranteeing that the protected health information will not be used to make employment decisions, and protecting the data from those not involved in administering the plan.