The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 contained provisions to protect the privacy and security of health information and to standardize electronic transmission of health information. This project examines the impact of the HIPAA transactions and privacy standards on rural hospitals. Case studies of rural hospitals have gathered information on:

• Which HIPAA regulations do administrators perceive as being the most burdensome?
  
• How have hospitals changed their operations, policies and procedures to ensure compliance with HIPAA?
  
• What resources (e.g., manpower, financial) have hospitals committed to HIPAA compliance activities?

This study was conducted in collaboration with the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis.

Related Products

Sutton, J. and Dunn, T. 2004. "Rural Hospitals' Strategies for Achieving Compliance with HIPAA Privacy Requirements." NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis Policy Brief, W Series, No. 3.  (65K)

Sutton, J. and Dunn, T. 2004. "Strategies for Achieving Compliance with HIPAA Privacy Regulations:  Case Studies of Rural Hospitals." Final report. Washington, DC: Office of Rural Health Policy.