HIPAA

The provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) were designed to streamline all areas of the health care industry and provide additional rights and protections to health plan members. HIPAA also established standards for electronic health care transactions as well as privacy and security standards to protect individually identifiable health information of patients.

HIPAA was enacted to:

• Provide continued health care coverage for individuals who change jobs, are self-employed, or have pre-existing medical conditions.
• Improve efficiency by simplifying and streamlining health care administration.
• Establish national standards and regulations for sharing and storing health information.
• Protect patients’ privacy and confidential health records.

Read about HMSA’s HIPAA Compliance Status.

Beware of Identity Thieves

Please be aware: HMSA will never call you to ask for or verify personal information such as your bank account number, Social Security number, or credit card information. If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be an HMSA employee and they ask for your personal information, DO NOT give it to them.

Call the number on the back of your HMSA member card to report the incident. If your card is not available, call toll-free 1 (800) 776-4672.

Thank you!