An Overview on Conducting a HIPAA Hybrid Entity Assessment for Local Public Health Departments

Overview

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Public Law 104-191 (HIPAA) applies to many local public health departments (LHDs). This issue brief helps public health practitioners, and their attorneys understand how HIPAA applies to LHDs, the steps an LHD must take to become a HIPAA hybrid entity, and discusses how these decisions directly impact data sharing, operations, compliance burden, and risk.