By Danika Brinda bio HIPAA Data Breaches and HIPAA Enforcement were definitely off to the races in the first two months of 2017. While previous years have started slower and then gradually increased, 2017 proves to be on an advanced path. 2016 ended with a record year in HIPAA Data Breaches (329 Data Breaches greater than 500 Individuals) as well as HIPAA Enforcement … [Read more...] about Ready, Set, HIPAA Enforcement: 2017 is going to be a year to remember
Risk management
Watch out for resume fraud
By Lynne Curry bio The new business manager you hired—the one with the terrific resume and reference? It turns out she never worked for the employers named on the resume or knew the supervisors listed as references—despite the glowing recommendations they wrote for her. Instead, she paid for a legitimate-appearing, completely phony resume and references. Fake … [Read more...] about Watch out for resume fraud
For a Colorado clinic, telecommuting fills the gap in long-term absences
A large Colorado clinic has started allowing staff to work from home. But unlike most employers, it doesn't view telecommuting as a way to reduce overhead. Instead, the clinic uses it to accommodate staffers who would otherwise have to take extended time off. And it's picky about who can take advantage of it. The clinic introduced telecommuting after one staffer's child became … [Read more...] about For a Colorado clinic, telecommuting fills the gap in long-term absences
PTO rollover: Is it required?
By Paul Edwards bio What does your practice do about unused PTO from last year? Doctors and office managers often ask us questions like this: "My employees want to know if I will roll over or pay out unused PTO from last year. Am I legally obligated to do this?" This question is more complex than it sounds! First, this issue depends heavily on state laws, as federal … [Read more...] about PTO rollover: Is it required?
Two female employees in a romantic relationship
Question: Two women who work at our practice have recently become romantically involved—with each other. My problem isn't with the fact that they are both women, but that they are coworkers. How should I handle the situation? Answer: Workplace romance is a difficult topic for a manager to broach because it seems as if it's an intrusion on employees' personal lives. On the … [Read more...] about Two female employees in a romantic relationship
Just days into the New Year and already 2 HIPAA fines
By Danika Brinda bio Well, HIPAA enforcement in 2017 is getting off to an active start. While 2016 saw a record year with 13 HIPAA Enforcement fines amounting to $23.5 million, the OCR has already published two HIPAA Enforcement fines amounting to $2.7 million just 19 days into the New Year. It is safe to assume that we are going to see another active year with … [Read more...] about Just days into the New Year and already 2 HIPAA fines
How would you grade your cybersecurity program?
DomainTools, a leader in domain name and DNS-based cyber threat intelligence, has released its 2017 Cybersecurity Report Card global research. Developed in conjunction with cybersecurity veteran Byron Acohido, the survey took place in December 2016 and polled more than 550 security analysts, IT managers, and executives working in healthcare, government, finance, retail, and … [Read more...] about How would you grade your cybersecurity program?
Pregnancy discrimination: don’t let good intentions get you in trouble
By Paul Edwards bio Chances are, you would never intentionally discriminate against a pregnant employee, and your doctor(s) and team probably feel the same way. But it can be easy to unintentionally discriminate. When it comes to pregnancy discrimination lawsuits, the road to court is usually paved with good intentions. Do all practices need to worry about … [Read more...] about Pregnancy discrimination: don’t let good intentions get you in trouble
Beware of HIPAA-related text messaging risks
The ease, speed, and efficiency of mobile device-based text messaging has made it a primary communications tool among doctors and other health care providers, covered entities, and business associates. But this convenience can also lead to security risks, cautions Melissa (Lisa) Thompson, a shareholder in national law firm LeClairRyan's Boston office. "Unless preventive … [Read more...] about Beware of HIPAA-related text messaging risks
22 questions a manager should ask before firing an employee
By Lynne Curry bio The final revenge of the fired employee: The manager makes an unwitting but critical mistake that unravels the firing decision or results in a painful payout to the employee. If you'd like to fire an employee without backfire, you need to consider good faith and just cause, then ask yourself twenty-two questions. Good faith Courts in … [Read more...] about 22 questions a manager should ask before firing an employee