Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
What is Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?
HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This federal act applies to every hospital, medical clinic or dental office that stores the confidential information of their patients and each of these institutions must comply with this act. The goal of this act is to keep patient records secure and confidential during when they are in storage. HIPAA also applies to the proper destruction of patient files when they no longer need to be stored.
HIPAA helps to provide security and privacy of personal health information, including but not limited to health insurance plans, electronic healthcare transactions and personal identifiers.
Who is subject to HIPAA Compliance?
HIPAA is a federal act, and virtually applies to every hospital, medical clinic or dental office that stores the sensitive information of their patients; each of these institutions must comply with this law. All health care providers and institutions, plus any business associates, are mandated to establish and follow strict processes that guarantee the confidentiality and security of protected health information (PHI) when it is transferred, received, handled, or shared. This includes all forms of PHI, such as documents, oral conversations, and electronic data. In addition, it’s important that only health information that’s absolutely required to perform business duties is used or shared.
What are my Rights Under HIPAA?
Generally speaking as a patient, you expect that your medical and other health information is kept private, and want to be informed on who has access to this information. The Privacy Rule, which is also a Federal law, provides you with specific rights over your health information and creates rules and limits on exactly who can review and receive your confidential health information.
The Privacy Rule requires HIPAA covered entities to supply individuals upon request, with access to their protected health information (PHI) in one or more “designated record sets” that is currently in the hands of a healthcare provider. This refers to the right to review or take a copy, of the particular record, or to have a copy of the PHI transmitted to a person of choice. As a patient, you have the right and ability to access your PHI for the duration it’s maintained at your particular health care institution. Individuals have a right to access this PHI for as long as the information is maintained by a covered entity. This remains the case regardless of the date the information was created, and whether or not the information is in paper or electronic format. This is a given right; the only downside to this law is that healthcare entities are able to charge for this service if they wish.
Who does HIPAA Protect?
HIPAA creates a national standard, and is in place to protect individuals’ medical records and other personal health information.
Why is HIPAA Important?
HIPAA allows you to instruct who may represent you on your behalf should there be an emergency or accident that inhibits you from communicating on your own. This is crucial for your safety, and can be one trusted individual or you may ask multiple people to speak for you in these circumstances. HIPAA was designed to protect patient and their confidentiality. All healthcare institutions must have a compliance department so if you are concerned that there is a compliance issue or breach of data get in touch with this department immediately to look after your issue.
Where can I find more information about HIPAA?
To learn more, visit this link: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-individuals/guidance-materials-for-consumers
What People Are Saying About PROSHRED®
I recently contacted Proshred for a one time residential service. Although it was a small job, Proshred staff made me feel that my job was... read moreI recently contacted Proshred for a one time residential service. Although it was a small job, Proshred staff made me feel that my job was important and that I was valued as a client. Highly recommended!Pros: Excellent customer service, timely responses, and very accommodating for my scheduling needs.Cons: None! read less
Jeanette P.10/23/2018I'm very happy to have discovered Proshred. Michael explained the process which worked perfectly. Your truck operator was great. I don't think... read moreI'm very happy to have discovered Proshred. Michael explained the process which worked perfectly. Your truck operator was great. I don't think it took more than five or six minutes to complete the job. Very efficient.We'll be calling again soon for another appointment. read less
John C.11/21/2017Phone contact with Proshred was easy and courteous. Fred came right on time, was really nice to deal with, and he quickly and efficiently... read morePhone contact with Proshred was easy and courteous. Fred came right on time, was really nice to deal with, and he quickly and efficiently got rid of years of unwanted files! A pleasure to work with them! read less
Marti S.7/14/2016My experience with PROSHRED was amazing! Frederick was a delight - called me in advance before arriving at my apartment and handled everything with grace... read moreMy experience with PROSHRED was amazing! Frederick was a delight - called me in advance before arriving at my apartment and handled everything with grace and humor. I went from worrying about what to do with all my old files (before a move) on a Monday to complete ease on Thursday. I could not be happier!P.S. The Monday in question was Presidents' Day, and Mike, the CEO, picked up the phone, answered all my questions, and scheduled a pick-up for Thursday. Simply dreamy service! read less
Meg M.2/24/2017We have been using PROSHRED for almost a year now so I can truthfully write this review and give them 5 stars! Fredrick makes us... read moreWe have been using PROSHRED for almost a year now so I can truthfully write this review and give them 5 stars! Fredrick makes us his first stop on our pick up days and at 6:30am he is bright and cheery and handles our confidential documents professionally as is needed when you are dealing with clients personal securities and info. If you are looking for a reputable document shredding service, choose PROSHRED, they will take good care of you. read less
Bonnie V.6/21/2017Started making a calls a few weeks ago referencing Yelp adds and Michael responded back on the weekend with a quote by email, almost immediately.... read moreStarted making a calls a few weeks ago referencing Yelp adds and Michael responded back on the weekend with a quote by email, almost immediately. I eventually got through my files and took a large box of documents to their local office on West Las Positas for destruction. Office location was easy to find, folks inside were VERY friendly and assured us of all the protocol that they go through to protect the contents of the shred. I was very pleased at such a reasonable price too! I would absolutely do all future office document destruction with only ProShred. Thank you for a great experience. We will be back!! read less
Darci G.2/27/2017Best thing I ever did! Owners Angel and Michael were extremely responsive and helpful. Service was easy to schedule and reasonably priced. Todd was the... read moreBest thing I ever did! Owners Angel and Michael were extremely responsive and helpful. Service was easy to schedule and reasonably priced. Todd was the truck/shredder operator and was prompt, polite and helpful. He showed me a screen I could watch to see all my shredding happen live! I'd definitely do it again should the need arise and would absolutely recommend them!! read less
Stacey M.11/27/2019We host an annual Shred Event for our real restate business and this locally owned business is the type of partner we want. Professional, well... read moreWe host an annual Shred Event for our real restate business and this locally owned business is the type of partner we want. Professional, well run, the best equipment and trucks, friendly employees, on time - this is how you do it! Thank you Mike and keep up the great work!! read less
Greg S.5/23/2017Amazing Customer Service! I called prior to heading to the Pleasanton location and was informed the price, and exactly what to do. Upon arrival, I... read moreAmazing Customer Service! I called prior to heading to the Pleasanton location and was informed the price, and exactly what to do. Upon arrival, I went into the office paid, and sent my employee around back with the banker boxes. Michael was back there and instantly started helping unload the banker boxes from the vehicle. The lady at front desk was kind enough to give me a hard copy receipt as well as allow me to take a short cut through their office and warehouse to where my employee was parked unloading the boxes. I would highly recommend this company based on customer service and timeliness. The price was great too! read less
Andi B.1/13/2017Michael was wonderful! The ladies are also wonderful and very helpful.Michael helped with my personal shredding questions and when I got there I was really... read moreMichael was wonderful! The ladies are also wonderful and very helpful.Michael helped with my personal shredding questions and when I got there I was really impressed with the handling of my business, so much so I brought in a laptop that I wanted to get the hard drive out and destroy. Michael took it out of the laptop for me and recycled the laptop also. This is an amazing place. Don't loose sleep over your privacy they are totally professional and just the nicest people to work with. Heck I would love to work there just based on meeting them and seeing how they run their business.Badonna read less
Badonna B.9/29/2016We had a great experience with PROSHRED! When we need shredding services, we will be calling on them again! We will definitely recommend PROSHRED to... read moreWe had a great experience with PROSHRED! When we need shredding services, we will be calling on them again! We will definitely recommend PROSHRED to anyone we know needing these services. It was a very friendly, professional and quick process! Their rates are reasonable, and you can watch on the video screen as they shred. Couldn't have been easier to schedule. Everyone we spoke with and met was courteous, helpful, and professional. So glad we found them! read less
Lisa J.5/02/2018Our shredding service sold to another Company and that service was awful. Had seen the Proshred trucks in my area and gave them a... read moreOur shredding service sold to another Company and that service was awful. Had seen the Proshred trucks in my area and gave them a call and spoke to Mike who couldn't have been more accommodating. So glad I called them as their customer service has been exceptional. Our driver always greets us, has a smile on his face and just a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend. read less
Sandy P.9/12/2018We do an annual Shred Event for our real estate business, and this Pro Shred operation is the perfect business partner. Locally owned, Mike and... read moreWe do an annual Shred Event for our real estate business, and this Pro Shred operation is the perfect business partner. Locally owned, Mike and his crew run a top notch business. Professional, the best trucks and equipment, always on time, everyone is so friendly - this is why we love and support local businesses. Keep up the great work! read less
Carol5/23/2017Super awesome company! Used them for first time this last week. Booking was super fast and the owner herself calls you, no-nonsense, no hidden fees.... read moreSuper awesome company! Used them for first time this last week. Booking was super fast and the owner herself calls you, no-nonsense, no hidden fees. Guy came to me today. 22 boxes & a hard drive & seriously a great price! They are green and don't charge by box, charges by the trash bin. I filled 2 & not even a 1/4 of a third. Was on time, done in 20 minutes. Super rad. Left me all my boxes so I can go back and fill them up as I need, but hopefully I won't need them all, as I've gone green in the last 9 years!Fredrick was extremely nice & professional, even at 7 am!! Will definitely use them again. read less
Traci H.10/19/2017It is very rare to find a company that actually does what it says it is going to do. To feel like your presence is... read moreIt is very rare to find a company that actually does what it says it is going to do. To feel like your presence is welcome and not just your money. When I contacted Proshred, I just wanted better security protocols for my company but what I got was someone who cared about our company. I got the president of the company to contact me directly. He was the one who sent me the estimate, scheduled the time and showed up at my door. He was so cheerful and passionate about his business. And; that is so rare to find. He gave me a brief overview of the protection that my company should have, delivery details and a quick contract. If I have any issues? I have the direct contact information for the President of the company. That is beautiful!!! It is a small business, but it is definitely worth looking into. I love, love, love the fact that I got a response so quickly and my company feels valued.
Thank you!!!!
From your friends at Stella & Dot, San Bruno, CA. read lessD N2/08/2014
