HEALTH CARE TECHNOLOGY Health Industry Starts Getting In Shape For Privacy Law.(INTERNET & TECHNOLOGY)

Byline: Donna Howell

Health firms have two years to comply with a sweeping medical privacy rule recently approved in Washington. But that doesn't mean there's time to waste.

Many are already taking steps to meet privacy mandates in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Some high-tech wares are helping.

HIPAA aims to improve access to health insurance, limit fraud and save money. It gives a patient more control of his medical records, and restricts who else can see them.

The measure cuts red tape for patients but burdens medical firm managers. HIPAA forces everyone to use the same data-handling format. That makes some computer systems outmoded. …