Interim Use of Federal Health Reform Regulations [27 Pa.B. 3725] On June 25, 1997, Act 29 of 1997, The Pennsylvania Health Care Insurance Portability Act (Act 29) was signed into law effective July 1, 1997. Act 29 implements health insurance reform requirements of the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) (P. L. 104-191, 110 Stat. 1936) in Pennsylvania. The Insurance Department has begun the process of developing regulations (under the authority of section 6 of Act 29) to implement Act 29. Until these regulations are promulgated, the Department intends to utilize the Federal interim rules for HIPAA published April 8, 1997 in the Federal Register (Vol. 62, No. 67, pages 16894 to 17005), and the final Federal regulations as adopted, as a guideline for the Department and industry. Upon promulgation of the Department's regulations under Act 29, this notice will be deemed withdrawn and become ineffective.
Written questions or comments regarding this matter can be directed to Geoffrey Dunaway, Director, Bureau of Accident and Health Insurance, Insurance Department, 1311 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
GREGORY S. MARTINO,
Acting Insurance Commissioner[Pa.B. Doc. No. 97-1196. Filed for public inspection July 25, 1997, 9:00 a.m.]
