Electronic corrrespondence

sent from city or county employees got a little wordier recently, as an

effort is being made to comply with recently enforced federal privacy

laws.

The Health Insurance Portability

and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which originated in 1996 and was revised

in 2002, became effective for compliance this year. Employers with over

$5 million annually in employee medical premiums or claims, like the county

government, had to comply by April 2003. Employers with medical premiums/claims

under that amount, which includes Peachtree City, must comply by April

2004.

Though the deadline for compliance

was stiill a few months away, Peachtree City went ahead and made the required

changes since the county was already going that route, said Betsy Tyler

of the city's public information office.

"We are having a consultant

assess our practices in handling employee medical information, and make

recommendations for any needed changes so, that we will be in compliance

all the forms at the doctor's office these days."

The only thing noticeable to

recepients is this disclaimer and warning about reading misdirected e-mail:"The

information contained in this transmission is legally privileged and confidential

information intended only for the use of the individual(s)named above.

If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient,you are hereby

notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this transmission

is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error,

please contact the sender immediately."

Tyler said funding for the

consultant was included in the city's 2004 fiscal budget.