HIPAA Readiness Statement

It is the policy of the Domestic Violence Center (Agency) to maintain the privacy of the health information of its clients as required by HIPAA, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

The Agency believes that it is a covered entity under HIPAA because it provides counseling services, billing for counseling services is done by a third party entity, and some clients have provided health information to Agency staff for purposes of aiding the Agency in providing services.

The Agency has prepared the documents mandated by HIPAA.  This readiness statement has been placed in the brochures distributed by the agency and on the Agency website. The Agency intends to develop a HIPAA policy and procedures manual and implement security measures within its offices.