What is HIPAA and How to Comply?

Modified on Mon, 12 Feb 2024 at 09:47 AM

HIPAA stands for “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.” HIPAA is a federal law created to prevent the exposure and/or disclosure of individuals' personally identifiable information (PII).


The privacy of participants—meaning their identities and any personal information, including medical and health-related information—is protected by HIPAA. Violating HIPAA law can result in severe legal consequence.


What is Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?




  • Name—even if it’s the first name with only the first letter of the last name




  • Demographic data




  • Location




  • Date related data—birth date, start-course date, age, etc.




  • Telephone numbers, fax numbers




  • Email address




  • Biometric data, including medical and lab results




  • Any other information that could be used to identify an individual




Complying with HIPAA


Do not under any circumstances allow the exposure of any member, participant, or customer’s individual identity.




  • If you are sending information with someone’s PII, it should be sent using secure messaging.




  • All notes regarding participants should be saved in Engagement Rx, which is HIPAA compliant.




View the CDC’s HIPAA page: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) | CDC

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