We at the North Carolina Plastic Surgery Center, P.A. follow the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) standard. The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes standards to protect the confidentiality of individually identifiable health information maintained or transmitted electronically in connection with certain administrative & financial transactions. The rule provides new rights for individuals with respect to protected health information about them & mandates the obligations of health care providers, health plans, & health care clearinghouses. Training of every staff member on the new rights & new policies & procedures as they apply to the healthcare operation is also required. The compliance date for privacy is April 14, 2003. Complete Privacy Rule Text. (Adobe reader download)