Instructions: This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) requirements and regulations. Please select the best answer for each question. Choose only one answer unless otherwise specified. Good luck! Question 1: What does HIPAA stand for? a) Health Insurance Policy and Administration Act b) Health Information … [Read more...] about HIPAA compliance quiz for medical office employees
Compliance
4 ways your managed IT provider can help with HIPAA
Healthcare IT can best be explained as technology that allows the secure exchange of medical and patient information between healthcare providers, patients, insurers, and other administrative operations. With the rapid increase of healthcare companies adopting cloud technology to share files and store private data, the need to involve managed service providers to assure full … [Read more...] about 4 ways your managed IT provider can help with HIPAA
EEOC proposes updated workplace harassment guidance to protect workers
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has proposed new guidance on harassment in the workplace. Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace was published in the federal register Oct. 2, and public comment period closed Nov. 1. The EEOC first released a proposed guidance on workplace harassment for public comment in 2017, but it was not … [Read more...] about EEOC proposes updated workplace harassment guidance to protect workers
Patient right of access: Consequences are extreme if you get it wrong
By Suze Shaffer Patients’ right of access has extreme consequences if they are not handled properly. It starts the moment a patient makes this request. HIPAA prohibits unreasonable measures when patients are requesting access to their medical records. Most practices think this request must be in writing. Although this is ideal, sometimes it can cause a problem when the … [Read more...] about Patient right of access: Consequences are extreme if you get it wrong
What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The NPRM was posted by the Federal Register for public inspection on Aug. 7, 2023 and published in the Federal Register on Aug. 11, 2023. The NPRM is available at … [Read more...] about What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Make someone responsible for HIPAA compliance and security
By Suze Shaffer Preventing data breaches and securing patient data is everyone’s responsibility, but the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) requires someone to be the point person. Make sure you have assigned a HIPAA Privacy Officer and a HIPAA Security Officer. Everyone in the practice needs to know who these people are by these titles. In a small practice it could be just one … [Read more...] about Make someone responsible for HIPAA compliance and security
17 projects for the last quarter of 2023
As we start the last quarter of the year, it's time to plan the projects that need to be done before we close out 2023. Here's a list to consider. Financial Review: a. Review the year-to-date financial statements to assess the financial health of the practice. b. Prepare a budget for the upcoming year, considering revenue, expenses, and capital investments. Insurance … [Read more...] about 17 projects for the last quarter of 2023
3 top tech trends in healthcare administration for efficiency and patient care
In an era of rapid technological advancements, medical office managers find themselves at the crossroads of adopting innovative solutions to streamline operations, enhance patient care, and ensure compliance. Here are three top trends revolutionizing medical office operations. AI-Powered Scheduling: A Precision Approach to Appointment Management One of the most … [Read more...] about 3 top tech trends in healthcare administration for efficiency and patient care
18 ways your medical office can run afoul of laws and regulations
Running a medical office comes the responsibility for ensuring compliance with various laws and regulations. Failure to meet compliance requirements can lead to legal, financial, and reputational troubles. Here are some—but by no means all—the ways your medical office can run into compliance trouble: HIPAA Violations: Failure to protect patient health information and maintain … [Read more...] about 18 ways your medical office can run afoul of laws and regulations
Model Policy: Substance Abuse and Fitness for Duty
Workplace substance abuse remains a major challenge for workplaces. Although sound in principle, the traditional zero tolerance policy is ill-suited to the legal complexities of the modern world. This is especially true in states that have legalized marijuana. You can still take a clear and firm line on employee drug and alcohol abuse for the purpose of health and safety. But … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Substance Abuse and Fitness for Duty