Importance of HIPAA Compliance in Medical Coding and Billing

HIPAA is a short form of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a law devised to protect patients’ personal information regarding their health conditions. In medicine, it is essential to ensure this information remains secure and confidential. A medical billing and coding professional plays a big part in ensuring that this health information is handled as it should be.

The following article will explain why HIPAA compliance is significant in medical billing and coding and how it helps protect patients and providers.

Patient’s Privacy

One of the significant issues to be developed by HIPAA is patient privacy. Patients who visit a doctor or hospital give very private information about themselves. Sometimes, this relates to their medical history, treatment, and even results; sometimes, it is financial information. Such information must remain private and avoid getting into the wrong hands.

The medical billing and coding professionals work with this information every day. They must ensure it is appropriately coded and billed without disclosing personal information. The HIPAA rules help ensure that all patient data is kept safe from individuals who should not see it.

Data Breach Prevention

A data breach happens when unauthorized persons gain sensitive information. This can be quite a severe issue in the field of healthcare, especially if patient records are stolen or otherwise leaked. The complications may also be serious regarding identity theft, fraud, and other issues for a patient and healthcare provider.

Medical billing/coding professionals have to strictly follow the guidelines that protect and ensure that patient information is well-thought-out due to the need for HIPAA compliance. This calls for using safe systems, keeping passwords private, and ensuring only authorized people can access the medical record review.

Ensuring Proper Communication

Establishing secure communications is another essential aspect of HIPAA compliance among healthcare providers. Medical billing and coding professionals often have to transfer information among doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies. According to HIPAA, this communication should be done so that the patient’s personal information is not disclosed or misused.

For example, the web-based email systems and portals used for sharing medical information should be secure to ensure the information is kept private and accessed by the right persons.

Fines and Penalties Averted

Severe punishment, including but not limited to fines, is levied on the healthcare providers in case of a HIPAA violation. If a medical billing or coding professional does not follow the rules of HIPAA, their employer could be fined; what’s more, that person may lose their job. Because of this, knowledge and adherence to HIPAA guidelines are most important in billing and coding professions.

HIPAA rules may result in significant costs for an organization or individual if not followed. Medical billers and coders can help avert costly mistakes by following these guidelines.

Building Trust with Patients

Patients who disclose personal information to a practitioner believe it will stay private. HIPAA compliance will help rebuild that trust. Patients who feel their data is safe will feel more accessible to come for treatment.

Medical billing and coding professionals must follow HIPAA rules to protect patients. This would prove that the staff cared about their job and protecting sensitive information.

Quick Tip for Medical Billers and Coders

You are always ensuring that information regarding the patient is protected. Whether working with any system and entering something into it or speaking with someone on the phone, ensure the information is relayed safely and with authorized persons only.

Conclusion: Enroll Now at Northwest Career College

If you want to pursue a medical billing and coding career, you will need to understand HIPAA compliance. Our Medical Billing and Coding program here at Northwest Career College will teach you everything you need to know about HIPAA and how to handle patient information.

Our program prepares you to work in various healthcare settings, from small practices to large hospitals. You will be practically trained in state-of-the-art industry tools.

Enroll now at Northwest Career College and take that first step into a rewarding medical career in billing and coding!