In hospitals and other healthcare organizations, there is huge chance of misuse of patients’ private medical information. To prevent such abuse and fraud, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was established. It was enforced as a law in 1996 by the United States Congress. HIPAA comprises of a set of rules and regulations pertaining to different areas of the healthcare industry and mainly medical records.

HIPAA exams enable the various healthcare employees to know and understand the rules and regulations of the act. The employees dealing with patient records need to know the rules to be able to adhere to them. There are plenty of institutes that offer HIPAA training and you can choose one that is most economical and suitable to your needs.

HIPAA is very strict about non-compliance and violations. Penalties are severe and can be either civil or criminal. Civil violations result in heavy fines, whereas criminal violations may result in fines and imprisonment. When a healthcare organization continues to show non-compliance even after several warnings and penalties, they may lose their license to practice.

HIPAA training and exams are essential for healthcare employees who direct deal with use, storage, and retrieval of health care records, as this ensures better compliance from their side.

Here are six important facts about HIPAA exams.

– HIPAA training can be of two types. The first is the traditional classroom training. The second, but more popular one is the online training program. The online program is very convenient and flexible as you can complete it from the comfort of your homes as per your free time.

– The material for the course is available in the website. They are usually in PowerPoint format, and therefore very easy to grasp. You can also download the material.

– When you complete your training, there is usually an exam to test you on all that you have learnt. The test can also be taken online. If you pass the test, you get a certificate of completion. However, if you fail to clear the test on your first try, you can take it again.

– The certificate you receive on passing the exam is a proof that you have been trained about the rules and regulations of HIPAA. There are a number of certifications you can choose from based on your work requirement. Some of the certifications are Certified HIPAA Professional (CHP), Certified HIPPA Administrator (CHA), and so on.

– Different institutes charge different fees for the training and exams. During your initial search for a HIPAA training program, you must compare the different programs and choose something you can afford. The type of certification and duration of course may also cause variation in fee structure.

– The rules and regulations of HIPAA are continually beings modified and altered. Therefore, it is essential to be up-to-date with the newest changes. Ignorance is one of the main culprits of non-compliance. The training institutes also offer refresher courses that are conducted at regular intervals so that you can be aware of the latest amendments to the act.

Protecting the private health information of patients is one of the major responsibilities of a hospital. HIPAA exams are needed to make this possible. Awareness leads to better compliance and fewer violations.

For more information, please visit our HIPAA Exams website.

For more information, please visit our HIPAA Exams website http://www.hipaaexams.com/index.asp

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our HIPAA Exams website.

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