Complying with HIPAA: The Impact on IT

by Tushar K. Hazra and Robert Pillar

Now that the 14 April 2003 deadline for protected health information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) has passed, the true challenges concerning privacy, security, and standardization of healthcare information in the US can be addressed. As a result, the benefits of HIPAA may be recognized in the foreseeable future. Constantly rising healthcare costs affect everyone, from average citizens to big business to politicians. With an aging US population and the associated increase in healthcare costs that these demographics represent, the motivation to save taxpayer money while maintaining high-quality care has never been more pressing. Technology is a source of cost reduction.