Dear Colleague:

Federal regulations can affect practicing psychologists’ professional lives in profound ways. Clearly this is the case with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ final privacy rule promulgated last spring. Practicing psychologists must comply with this regulation beginning April 13, 2003. The privacy rule results from the “Administrative Simplification” provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. Yet the requirements of the privacy rule are far from simple.

Given the considerable detail and complexity to the privacy rule, it can be rather daunting for a practitioner to try to digest the rule in a “single bite.” The optimum strategy for dealing with a rule of such magnitude is a step-by-step process that breaks information down into digestible amounts. Indeed, the rule is rather straightforward and logical if approached one step at a time.

The APA Practice Organization is taking the necessary steps to arm practitioners over time with information and tools needed to achieve HIPAA compliance. We hope that by making material available in stepwise fashion, practitioners can readily incorporate into their practices the information and resources we provide.

As an initial step, this special issue of the APA Practice Organization’s Practitioner Focus newsletter is intended to help APA members appreciate the substantial impact of the HIPAA privacy rule on practitioners and their clients. The newsletter focuses on major elements of the rule of particular interest and applicability to psychologists.

Another important step toward raising member awareness of HIPAA requirements happens in March 2002, when all APA members who pay the special assessment are mailed a publication by the APA Practice Organization and the APA Insurance Trust entitled, “Getting Ready for HIPAA: What You Need to Know Now.” This practical primer explains in more detail what HIPAA is and what practitioners are required to do in order to comply with the privacy rule.

Further, the Practice Organization and Insurance Trust are collaborating on developing resources and tools specifically designed to meet the needs of practicing psychologists in complying with HIPAA. These products are expected to include model policies and procedures, customizable forms, and assessment tools to help members identify individual practice needs.

It is vitally important for practitioners to understand HIPAA and take the steps needed to sort through the intricacies of the privacy rule and meet its requirements. The APA Practice Organization’s goal is to be your HIPAA resource and for you to comply with HIPAA.

Sincerely,

Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D.
APA Executive Director for Professional Practice