The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

HIPAA amends ERISA by limiting the restrictions that a group health plan can place on benefits for pre-existing conditions. It also attempts to limit fraud and abuse within the health care system by mandating nationwide standards for electronic health care transations. An overview of HIPAA may be found here: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/