From cardiology and vein care to general medicine and hospital visits, nothing is more important than a patient’s health. But a close second among doctors and government regulators alike is the protection of a patient’s private information. In short, in our Miami, Aventura and South Broward varicose vein and heart health practice – as with any medical practice nationwide, federal guidelines called HIPAA govern how every healthcare provider handles patient information. This includes everything from patient’s names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers and their actual medical history.
The Soffer Health Institute is 100% HIPAA compliant.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule (short for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) “gives individuals a fundamental new right to be informed of the privacy practices of their health plans and of most of their health care providers, as well as to be informed of their privacy rights with respect to their personal health information,” notes the Department of Health and Human Services’ HIPAA site.
The general rule “provides that an individual has a right to adequate notice of how a covered entity may use and disclose protected health information about the individual, as well as his or her rights and the covered entity’s obligations with respect to that information. Most covered entities must develop and provide individuals with this notice of their privacy practices,” the site notes.
At least two rules are included. First, the “Privacy Rule” applies to all forms of individuals’ protected health information, whether electronic, written, or oral. Second, the Security Rule is a Federal law that protects health information in electronic form, requires entities covered by HIPAA to ensure that electronic protected health information is secure, HHS wrote.
Many patients are familiar with the rules. When they sign in at the front desk, the names of those who signed in prior often are obscured by paper. Signatures are requested acknowledging that they’ve been advised of their rights – and the practice’s adherence to HIPAA.
For Dr. Ariel Soffer, M.D., the board-certified cardiologist and innovator of The Soffer Health Application, HIPAA is as important with the app as it is in his practice. The app is an easy-to-use smartphone tool that enables virtual consultations and medical photography for patients with vein or general heart health questions. Information sent from or to the app is encrypted and protected to the highest standards – even those surpassing most regularly accepted industry standards.
Visit AppwoRx to learn about Soffer Health’s suite of products. If you have any questions regarding our adherence to HIPAA and our dedication to protecting your privacy, please call the practice today at (305) 792-0555.
About Soffer Health Institute
The Soffer Health Institute, with offices throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties, Florida, is dedicated to making patients feel at home throughout their medical evaluation and treatment procedures. Headed by Dr. Ariel Soffer, who is board certified in cardiovascular disease and is a Fellow in the American College of Cardiology, the medical team thoroughly evaluates each patient’s condition with the latest research and techniques available and presents a customized treatment plan that best suits each patient’s individual needs. Learn more at www.SofferHealth.com
