Office of General Counsel List of units covered by HIPAA The University of Akron has declared itself to be a hybrid entity for HIPAA purposes because its primary function is not the provision of or reimbursement of health care services. As a hybrid entity, only those departments or units that are either providing health care services and engaging in covered transactions electronically for those services or operating a health plan are covered by HIPAA. Covered transactions relate primarily to billing and interacting with insurance companies. The University has determined that the following units are covered by HIPAA and are, therefore, part of the University's covered health care component:
- Audiology and Speech Center
- Benefits Administration Office
Other departments of the university that handle health information in the process of providing services to these to areas may also have some related compliance obligations. Departments that have been identified as having related compliance obligations are:
- University Archives
- Student Financials
- Office of General Counsel
If your department is not currently covered by HIPAA or is not handling health information in the process of providing services to a covered area of the University, you have no HIPAA compliance obligations at this time. However, if at some time in the future, your department begins to provide health care services and engage in any covered transaction electronically or operate a health plan, please contact the Office of General Counsel as soon as possible so that we may assist you in determining your HIPAA compliance obligations.
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