Rita works as a medical coder for an ambulatory surgery center. Under the terms of HIPAA, is Rita considered a covered entity? A
. No. Only health plans and clearinghouses are covered entities. B. Yes. She reviews the medical record and assigns diagnosis and procedure codes. C. Only if she is promoted to medical record compliance or auditing. D. Maybe, depending on her employment status.
The correct option is B. Under the terms of HIPAA, a covered entity refers to entities or individuals, who transmit protected health information for transactions for which the health department has a standard. A covered entity can be a health provider, a health plan or a health care clearing house. Rita is a covered entity because, she transmits information in electronic form in connection with transactions for which the health department has a standard.
Under the terms of HIPAA, a covered entity refers to entities or individuals who transmit protected health information for transactions that have a standard in the health department. A covered entity may be a health care provider, health plan or health care clearer. Rita is a covered entity because it transmits electronic information.
