The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) passed by the U.S. Congress in 1996 regulates the security of systems on which patient data is stored, protections for the privacy of personal health records, and the requirements for safeguarding individually identifiable health information. This federal legislation took effect on April 14, 2003. Each health care facility is required to provide documentation of HIPAA training for everyone with access to patients and/or patient data. All medical students complete the UW HIPAA training prior to matriculation. Most of the clerkship sites listed in the catalogue have an Affiliation Agreement that accepts the UW HIPAA training as meeting their own local requirements. Students may be asked to provide a copy of their HIPAA certificate prior to beginning a clerkship.
The Veteran’s Administration requires training specific to their institution. Students complete VA HIPAA training prior to matriculation.
If a student needs a replacement copy of the UW HIPAA certificate, please contact the HIPAA Office at 206-221-6167.