(HIPAA) HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
This act was put into effect April of 2003 by the Federal Government for the purpose of protecting the privacy of patient's health information. This legislation applies to all "covered entities," which is every employer in the U.S. with completed health insurance applications or injury reports on file. This also includes: doctors, dentists, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, urgent care centers, billing centers, physical therapists and collection agencies.