What is HIPAA?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was passed by Congress to issue patient privacy protections. HIPAA included provisions designed to encourage electronic transactions and also required new safeguards to protect the security and confidentiality of health information. The final regulation covers health plans, health care clearinghouses, and those health care providers who conduct certain financial and administrative transactions (e.g., enrollment, billing and eligibility verification) electronically. Most health insurers, pharmacies, doctors and other health care providers were required to comply with these federal standards beginning April 14, 2003.

Is the CTA Benefits Trust Fund Affected?

YES!  In the early Spring of 2003 all of our Trustees underwent extensive training in HIPAA requirements.  We established a written policy, designated a privacy officer, and distributed a privacy notice to all of our members. We instituted several procedures to safegaurd your personal health information including shredding of all paperwork, e-mail encryption, and firewall protection.  We will only contract with providers who are HIPAA compliant.

Can I read a copy of our Privacy Policy?

Sure!  It can cure any case of insomnia - we should know -  we wrote it.  Hopefully an electronic copy will be available here shortly; until then stop by the Catskill High School Library and Nancy Kunz would be happy to give you a copy.

Who is our Privacy Officer?

Wendy Casalino is our Privacy Officer.  If you feel you have a HIPAA problem please contact her at Catskill Middle School.  All information is confidential.