HCOA: Health Care Office Administration Program: Legal & Ethical Aspects of Health Information

Health information management professionals handle a variety of confidential, sensitive data about patients. This profession is held to very strict legal and ethical standards regarding the protection of patients' privacy, and the integrity of the information itself. The websites listed here can help you understand these rules.

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Code of Ethics

American Medical Association’s Frequently Asked Questions About HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) documents, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

• HIPAA Privacy Rule (Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information)
• HIPAA Security Rule (Security Standards for the Protection of Electronic Protected Health Information)
• Information Technology & HIPAA (Nationwide Privacy & Security Framework for Electronic Exchange of Individually Identifiable Health Information)

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare's HIPAA Privacy Implementation Handbook

H = Health

I = Insurance

P = Portability &

A = Accountability

A = Act