HIPAA Glossary
Covered Entity
Any business entity that must comply with HIPAA regulations, which includes health-care providers, health plans and health-care clearinghouses. For purposes of HIPAA, health-care providers include hospitals, physicians and other caregivers.
CPT - Current Procedural Terminology
A 5-digit code used in medical billing and records systems that defines the medical procedures and medical services provided.
EMR - Electronic Medical Record
A computer-based medical record for a patient that provides secure, real-time data access, sharing and evaluation for medical care. Also called an electronic health record or electronic patient record.
HCFA 1500
A medical billing form used by doctors to file insurance claims for medical services.
HCPCS - HCFA Common Procedural Coding System
A medical coding system used to describe what treatment or services were provided by a physician. The HCPCS Level II Coding books contain codes and descriptions for durable medical goods, injections, supplies and services not listed by CPT Coding books.
HL7 - Health Level Seven
A data exchange protocol and interface for medical records and billing software that allows different systems to interoperate.
HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
A body of national standards for electronic medical records and transactions for healthcare providers, health plans, and employers. It also addresses the security and privacy of electronic health records.
ICD-9 - International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition
A numerical code used in medical billing describing a diagnosis or medical procedure to treat a disease, syndrom or disorder.
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