The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 contained provisions to protect the privacy and security of health information and to standardize electronic transmission of health information. This project examines the impact of the recently enacted HIPAA transactions and privacy standards on rural hospitals. Case studies of rural hospitals have gathered information on:

• Which HIPAA regulations do administrators perceive as being the most burdensome?
• How have hospitals changed their operations, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with HIPAA?
• What resources (e.g., manpower, financial) have hospitals committed to HIPAA compliance activities?

In addition to a report summarizing case study findings, policy briefs outlining key issues for rural hospitals engaged in HIPAA compliance activities will be disseminated. This study is being conducted in collaboration with the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis.

Publications

• Rural Hospitals' Strategies for Achieving Compliance With HIPAA Privacy Regulations: Case Studies of Rural Hospitals
  NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
  Date: 08/2003
  Rural hospitals in this study recognized the importance of ensuring the confidentiality of patient health information and have made substantial progress in achieving compliance with HIPAA privacy standards. Each recognized that additional work will be required to effectively secure patient privacy.
• Rural Hospitals' Strategies for Achieving Compliance With HIPAA Privacy Requirements
  NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
  Date: 03/2004
  Rural hospitals in this study recognized the importance of ensuring the confidentiality of patient health information and have made substantial progress in achieving compliance with HIPAA privacy standards. Each recognized that additional work will be required to effectively secure patient privacy.