Final answer:
According to HIPAA, providers are required to eliminate barriers that could delay care. They can do this by implementing practices such as using electronic medical records, sharing digital records among health providers, and implementing healthcare provider incentives like health maintenance organizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), providers are required to eliminate barriers that could delay care. HIPAA sets the standards for the protection of patient information and ensures that businesses that use health information, such as insurance companies and healthcare providers, maintain strict confidentiality of patient records.
To eliminate barriers, providers may implement practices such as:
Using electronic medical records (EMRs) to reduce administrative costs and improve efficiency.
Sharing digital records among health providers to improve the quality and reduce the cost of healthcare.
Implementing healthcare provider incentives, such as the shift to health maintenance organizations (HMOs), which focus on providing healthcare that receives a fixed amount per person enrolled in the plan, rather than fee-for-service.