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<br />f"0316V( <br /> <br />COUNTY ATTORNEY - a DISCUSS AND APPROVE RESOLUTIONS FOR HIPAA <br />COMPLIANCE - County Attorney Jerry Janulewicz was presented the HIPAA resolution <br />for the boards consideration. In 1996 and 1997 the federal HIPAA regulations regarding <br />health insurance coverage for employees that have terminated employment went into <br />effect. These regulations established a procedure for record keeping and polices to <br />eliminate the gaps in health coverage when an employee changed jobs. <br /> <br />One of the other aspects of HIPAA is the security and confidentiality of medical records. <br />There were cases in 1990 when sensitive health information was discarded and the <br />information was not protected. Laws were enacted to secure health records and <br />maintain the confidentiality. Hall County has health information that exchanged with the <br />third party health insurance provider, information that is shared with Health and Human <br />Services and information at the jail. Hall County will have to comply with the <br />confidentiality of this information and how it is maintained. Another aspect is the security <br />of this information and how it is transmitted. We may not be hit as hard as the medical <br />community but we will be affected by how and when this information can be disclosed. <br />These regulations were to create administrative simplicity and there are 500 pages of <br />rules. They are confusing and there are gray areas and very little guidance. The first <br />step that is need to approve a resolution for a HIPAA compliance initiative and to appoint <br />a coordinator. There will be additional resolutions to determine which departments will <br />need to comply and setting up policies and procedures. Janulewicz stated that Stacey <br />Ruzicka and Marla Conley have had several meetings to start the process. He stated he <br />would serve as the HIPAA Coordinator. In some counties they have even hired <br />consultants to address these issues. <br /> <br />Lancaster stated that these unfunded mandates always seem to impose more work on <br />Jerry. Janulewicz stated that the initial start up will be difficult but once everything is in <br />place the county should be able to handle it. I <br /> <br />Arnold made a motion and Rye seconded to approve Resolution #03-011 mandating a <br />HIPAA Compliance initiative and appointing Jerry Janulewicz as the HIPAA Coordinator <br />Arnold, Eriksen, Hartman, Humiston, Jeffries, Lancaster and Rye all voted yes and none <br />voted no. Motion carried. <br /> <br />2 <br />