Dear Editor:
I have just finished reading the HIPAA article by Laurinda B. Harman, PhD, RHIA. I must agree that many of us groan when the reference to HIPAA is used. However, my concern is the "HIPAA Police" a term I did not see in the article. I am afraid that the worst is yet to come. My sources have told me that the predominance of attendees at HIPAA educational seminars are the attorneys. Yea, here come the HIPAA Police. And to make matters even more complicated, there have been several cases in the west where State Prosecutors are reviewing criminal cases and making determinations if a provider was HIPAA compliant. Pretty soon HIPAA violation cases will be comparable in frequency to someone tripping on some lose carpet or slipping on a stray patch of ice in your parking lot. Maybe a new term should be HIPAAHELPUS!
David Fowler, Vice President
Education, Communication and Member Services
Illinois Primary Health Care Association