Question

Discuss the purpose of the HIPAA law, specifically addressing how it relates to the field of addiction counseling. What would happen if a counselor did not follow HIPAA requirements?

Answer 1

HIPAA law stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability this act was passed by the congress in the year 1996. HIPAA performs the following

1.It provides to the continue health insurance coverage and its transfer for million of people of American workers and to their families when they lose their job due some situation.

2.It prevent the healthcare abuse and fraud by maintaining the privacy and security. It control the abuse and fraud system within the healthcare.

As a counselor it is required by HIPAA to submit the documents that must explain to the potential clients how you are going handle the release of any confidential information.

Counselors are not allowed to share any type of confidential information that is collected from the counselling method without any specific written consent by the legal guardian or client. when it required it is allowed to do by the order of the court. The insurance companies will be also informed about the condition or treatment if it is covered. The companies are bound by HIPAA to keep all the information confidential.

According to HIPAA addiction counselor are allows to disclose patient health information to the colleagues inside the same services during the period of treatment, diagnosis.

The patient must sign a written consent to release any type of specific data to the designated party.The consent document must include the expressing language and date of expiration.

the counselor did not follow the HIPAA requirements then following HIPAA penalties will be applicable to them

According to the HIPAA Privacy if the requirement is not followed the victim to a healthcare minimum penalty would be

$100 per violation of the HIPAA with if it done unknowingly.

$1000 per violation with it done by reasonable cause for violation of HIPAA.

If the violation is corrected in the given period of time then it is annually $25000 for repeat.

If the violation is not corrected then $1.5 millions for the repeat violations.

The individual who intentionally disclose protected health information and the rule is violated then penalties can be increased with a fine of $10000 and prison for up to 10years.