HIPAA is a GOOD thing!

HIPAA = Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

From the Dept of Health and Human Services site:

HIPAA was enacted to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.

http://aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/pl104191.htm

It's not just about privacy- Privacy is only a SMALL part of HIPAA.

It stops employers and/or insurerers from saying you can't be covered for a pre-existing condition- IF you get a new job and new ins before a certain number of weeks have passed. It is constantly bashed, but it has prevented many rich insurance companies from denying health insurance to many people.

It has an impact on so many people, we need to know what it is and what it's about.

HIPAA can prevent an insurer from unjustly denying you health insurance coverage!

It's a GOOD thing! It's a positive thing. REALLY, it is!

(putting on my asbestos suit now, but really hoping I won't need it )