UMKC provides assistance with privacy and security questions involving clinical practices and research.

What Is HIPAA?

Developed, released, and enforced by the Department of Health and Human Services, the HIPAA Privacy Rule sets national standards for maintaining the privacy and enhancing the security of an individual's Protected Health Information, PHI.

• Review the NIH Guide on the impact of HIPAA and a number of up-to-date HIPAA resources.

“Protected Health Information” includes all "Individually Identifiable Health Information" (IIHI) that is in any type of format, either electronic or paper that is maintained, stored, or transmitted by a Covered Entity.

HIPAA affects UMKC research, Institutional Research Boards (IRBs) and, in particular, patient care covered by the HIPAA Privacy Board of the School of Dentistry.

HIPAA also directly affects patient care and research at affiliated institutions, including Truman Medical Center, Children's Mercy Hospital, and St. Luke's Hospital.

On April 21, 2003, the Security Rule that protects IIHI went into effect, summarized in a HIPAA Fact Sheet