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 recently enacted HIPAA transactions and privacy standards on rural hospitals. Case studies of rural hospitals will be conducted to gather 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?

In addition to a report summarizing case study findings, policy briefs outlining key issues for rural hospitals engaged in HIPAA compliance activities will be disseminated. This study is being conducted in collaboration with the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis.

There may be products related to this project; please contact the lead researcher for more information.