AHIP Outlines Priorities and Roadmap for Protecting Privacy and Security of Consumer Health Information

AHIP’s Board of Directors and its chief medical officers leadership team released core guiding priorities and a detailed roadmap to further protect the privacy, confidentiality, and cybersecurity of consumer health information. Health insurance providers have long been a leader in developing privacy, confidentiality, and cybersecurity practices to protect personal health information. These priorities reaffirm that commitment while offering a path forward for legislators and regulators to keep Americans’ health data secure and provide them with actionable health information.

“It is essential that every American is confident that their personal health information is private and protected—no matter who holds it,” said Matt Eyles, AHIP president and CEO. “Health insurance providers have long been committed to instituting privacy and cybersecurity practices to protect every individual’s personal health information – from employer-provided coverage to the individual market, from Medicare Advantage to Medicaid managed care. As new technologies emerge and the health care system continues to evolve, these priorities reaffirm AHIP and our members’ commitment to enhancing patients’ access to actionable health information while keeping their personal data secure. And by following the roadmap laid out by our industry’s leading experts, we believe that legislators and regulators can help give Americans the peace of mind they deserve.”

AHIP’s chief medical officers emphasized that new technologies—including telehealth, apps, and other digital health care services—should be subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or similar requirements. They also advised that HIPAA and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act and corresponding regulations should remain the primary legal framework for protecting Americans’ health information.

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