HIPAA
Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996 to reform health care. HIPAA's administrative simplification standards are intended to streamline industry inefficiencies, reduce paper work, and protect the privacy of individual health information. There are three components to HIPAA's administrative simplification standards:
- Security Standards—Compliance deadline for small health plans was April 21, 2006
- Privacy Standards—Compliance deadline for small health plans was April 14, 2004
- Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Standards—Compliance deadline was October 2003
Most cities with employer-sponsored health plans will need to comply with certain aspects of the security and privacy rules, as well as any business associates that work with the city on its group health plans, such as third party administrators and/or the city's agent, broker, and/or benefits consultant.
HIPAA compliance resources
The League, in cooperation with Darcy Hitesman of HaynesHitesman law firm, has developed a number of tools to help member cities with HIPAA compliance activities—especially as it relates to the privacy and security rules.
Your LMC Resource
The League is here to help cities understand their HR & Benefits responsibilities and opportunities. Our HR & Benefits staff responds to more than 2,000 inquiries each year, providing a variety of information resources and services to member cities.
Contact Donyelle Mikacevich
HR Manager
(651) 281-1202 or (800) 925-1122
dmikacev@lmc.org
Go In-Depth: More HR & Benefits Resources
HR Reference Manual
An extensive resource on human resources in the public sector.
It includes chapters on Hiring, Separation from Employment, Personnel Policies, and Compensation & Benefits.
Access the HR Reference Manual
Information Memos
In-depth explanation of and guidance on HR & Benefits topics. Many include sample documents.
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HR & Benefits