Frequently Asked Questions
What is HIPAA and why was it enacted?
- A federal statute called the “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act”.
- Meant to make health insurance portable.
- Designed to protect the privacy and security of health care information.
- Intended to fight fraud and abuse in the health care industry.
What does’t HIPAA do?
- Give the State Department of Health any authority to enforce it.
- Give individuals the right to sue for damages.
- Tell health care providers or insurance companies that they can never release any information.
- Apply to schools or employers (unless the employer is running a self-funded insurance plan)
What components of the Indiana State Department of Health are required to comply with HIPAA?
- Breast and Cervical Cancer Program
- Children's Special Health Care Program
- Genomics/Newborn Screening Program
- Hemophilia Program
- HIV Medical Services Program
- Blood Lead Program - ISDH Lab
- Indiana Lead & Healthy Homes Program
How can I file a complaint if I believe HIPAA has been violated?
HIPAA allows people to complain to one or all of the following: the US Office for Civil Rights; their state attorney general’s office, and the covered entity where the violation is alleged to have taken place. Anyone who suspects a violation of HIPAA can complain, even if their own protected health information was not compromised. Here are the relevant links; the addresses and phone numbers are listed further below
- To file a complaint with the federal agency that enforces HIPAA, click here to be redirected to the U.S. Office for Civil Rights.
- To file a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General’s office, click here.
- To file a complaint about one of the HIPAA covered Indiana State Department of Health programs directly with the Department, please click here for the complaint form.
- You can complain to the covered entity where the violation occurred; HIPAA requires covered entities to investigate complaints they receive.
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For complaints involving the Indiana State Department of Health: Privacy Officer 317-233-7655 |
For any HIPAA violation that impacts a resident of Indiana: Indiana Attorney General 800-382-5516 |
For all HIPAA violations: US Dept. Health & Human Services 312-866-2359 |
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For further informaiton about HIPAA, visit the U.S. Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights Frequently Asked Questions page:
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