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 worked with Angel and Freddie. These two were the dream team. All logistics were handled over a few emails (very pleasant emails... read moreI worked with Angel and Freddie. These two were the dream team. All logistics were handled over a few emails (very pleasant emails I might add). Freddie was my onsite shredder and he was prompt, very helpful and easy to work with for the shredding. Angel sent the invoice... right away. What a great service! read less
Jeannette E.4/04/2017I just came from Proshred in Pleasanton, was greeted so warmly and kindly by the receptionist, gave me instructions on what to do, drove to... read moreI just came from Proshred in Pleasanton, was greeted so warmly and kindly by the receptionist, gave me instructions on what to do, drove to the back of building, was greeted by the owner, I believe April was her name and she was so kind, informing and professional. She took care of the process and reasonably priced, for sure my go to place from now on. read less
A Google User6/04/2019Super 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.10/19/2017Yup just as they had said! Come in, pu the stuff to shred, put it in the giant shredding truck, and (here's the cool part)... read moreYup just as they had said! Come in, pu the stuff to shred, put it in the giant shredding truck, and (here's the cool part) you can watch your stuff be shredded via a vid cam! absolutely would use again.TIP: it is a $100.00/10 boxes/bags (ask some friends if they have something to shred. I only had 6 bag/boxes and was too late to have others add theirs in). read less
M.A. Z.7/16/2020Guaranteed service, and at a lower cost than at Office Depot. It is, after all, their core business.
Kevin Short7/29/2019Was getting prepared to move and realized I had bills dating back to 1999... I was totally stressed about how to shred all this confidential... read moreWas getting prepared to move and realized I had bills dating back to 1999... I was totally stressed about how to shred all this confidential info and how long it would take to do so!! I decided to look up shredding companies and as a fluke came across Pro SHRED.. THANKS GOD I did... they came to my house let me watch the shredding process, sent me a invoice and document confirming the shred.. I worked with Angel and her names fits she was an angel!! I LOVED this company. Everyone has been super friendly courteous prompt and easy to deal with! If everything in life could go as smoothly!! I will for sure recommend you to my clients and friends. read less
Debbie C.2/09/2017I have to arrange shredding for clients who are serviced in many locations. Proshred San Francisco Bay Area gives them amazing service at great value... read moreI have to arrange shredding for clients who are serviced in many locations. Proshred San Francisco Bay Area gives them amazing service at great value which gives me peace of mind. I have no hesitation recommending them to any of my clients. read less
S D Bryerman1/31/2016Started 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.2/27/2017We 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.5/02/2018Awesome service! We had 80 boxes of documents to be shredded. I contacted them yesterday morning, truck was at our office at 7:15 this morning.... read moreAwesome service! We had 80 boxes of documents to be shredded. I contacted them yesterday morning, truck was at our office at 7:15 this morning. Romero worked professionally and quickly in the pouring rain. He was done in 45 minutes. I would highly recommend them & will be using their services again next year! read less
Erin R.2/07/2017I'm very pleased with the level of personalized service I received from PROSHRED. They were friendly, efficient and timely. I couldn't ask for... read moreI'm very pleased with the level of personalized service I received from PROSHRED. They were friendly, efficient and timely. I couldn't ask for more than that. I plan to continue using them for my document shredding needs. I highly recommend you do as well. read less
Tod B.5/07/2020Our 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.9/12/2018I called ProShred in the morning and was able to drop off several boxes of documents to shred right away. Very quick, convenient and... read moreI called ProShred in the morning and was able to drop off several boxes of documents to shred right away. Very quick, convenient and close to my business. I will use again! read less
Daniel H.2/08/2018Amazing 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.1/13/2017Excellent company to work with. I had a bad fail with another company and I needed same day service. Proshred was the only company in... read moreExcellent company to work with. I had a bad fail with another company and I needed same day service. Proshred was the only company in the Bay Area that was able to accommodate. Easy, helpful, and courteous team. read less
Jen G.3/29/2017
