You depend on your doctor to give you the information you need to defend your health, but who gives doctors, hospitals, and medical organizations the information and assistance they need? Healthcare attorneys such as Haley Zelenka protect such organizations. Although you might think that such services are only needed during trials, that’s not always the case. In fact, healthcare lawyers can advise the companies they work for and with on a variety of topics related to running a healthcare business, treating clients, and even dealing with finances.
What Law Has to Do with Medicine
One area where healthcare attorneys lend their expertise is in corporate compliance and HIPAA. Most people have a general idea of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, which protects a patient’s sensitive medical information from falling into unauthorized hands. HIPAA concerns patient information, how it’s stored, and who can access it, so adhering to this legislation is a big job. This is especially true in the digital era, where patients expect to access their data online.
Many organizations employ attorneys for specific areas of law such as healthcare law. Haley Zelenka of Memorial Hospital at Gulfport is just one of many legal professionals in these roles who must be familiar with applicable laws and ensure her organization is in compliance, even when there are complicated changes to the legislation. When HIPAA is followed, both providers and patients benefit.
Medical Law Encompasses More Than HIPAA
HIPAA is only one example of laws that pertain to medical organizations, however. Aside from the obvious example of medical malpractices, providers may need legal guidance when working closely with insurance companies, including state-issued insurance. Insurance fraud and abuse is a serious concern for medical
With patient data secure, insurance fraud minimized, and malpractice covered, medical providers and their staff can focus on providing the comprehensive and attentive care that their patients expect and deserve. And it’s all thanks to the meticulous support of legal professionals such as Zelenka. Like administrative, janitorial, and IT support staff, healthcare attorneys are an integral part of any medical organization.
