HIPAA Privacy

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule provides federal protections for personal health information held by covered entities and gives patients an array of rights with respect to that information. At the same time, the Privacy Rule is balanced so that it permits the disclosure of personal health information needed for patient care and other important purposes.

Individuals, organizations, and agencies that meet the definition of a covered entity under HIPAA must comply with the Privacy Rule's requirements to protect the privacy of health information and must provide individuals with certain rights with respect to their health information.

West Fork Services' policies for protection of the privacy of protected health information. (Adobe Reader PDF)