Reducing the Cost of Defensive Medicine Using the Internet

Defensive medicine consists of providing medical services that are not expected to benefit the patient, but minimize the risk of subsequent lawsuits. In that context, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) rightly makes a virtue of privacy, but it can also bring about a financial burden - a burden that can best be met through a judicious use of the Internet and the latest developments in secure online communications.