517 Even though the HIPAA Privacy Rule went into effect last April, very few clinicians have become HIPAA compliant due to fear, overwhelming work, or the faulty belief that it doesn't apply to them. As a result, they put themselves at risk of severe penalties, get shut out of reimbursement, and operate below the evolving standard of care. Very few clinicians understand the complex requirements of HIPAA and its privacy rules or the transaction rule, which had a separate deadline of October 2003. Who is subject to the rules and what does being compliant mean? This workshop will explain the ABC's of HIPAA--how it works, its relevance to private practitioners, and why it's likely to apply to almost all psychotherapists, no matter what their billing practices. The presenter will outline the basic, simple ways to become compliant, including using simple billing services and other resources. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to live with the regulations.