HIPAA requires you have breach notification policies and procedures to ensure proper handling of a breach of unsecured protected health information (PHI). Do you have breach notification policies and procedures that comply with HIPAA, including the most recent changes that went into effect in 2013? Are you training your staff about how to handle suspected breaches? If not, you … [Read more...] about Get ready for HIPAA breach before it happens
HIPAA
9 important dos and don’ts for using social media to promote your practice
Federal and state laws are implicated when a medical office decides to promote its services, whether through establishing a website for the medical office or participating in forums such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. This article focuses on the do's and don'ts arising from federal and state laws on advertising and privacy. 1 Do be truthful When a medical office establishes … [Read more...] about 9 important dos and don’ts for using social media to promote your practice
Practices recognize that health care compliance management must be addressed, despite challenges
A nationwide survey finds health care organizations and businesses, including medical practices, confront time and staffing challenges when it comes to health care compliance management. Expertise is also an issue, as is keeping up with changes. Nevertheless, medical practices and other health care providers recognize the importance of health care compliance management. The … [Read more...] about Practices recognize that health care compliance management must be addressed, despite challenges
Expect more concerted HIPAA enforcement due to OIG reports
The protection of individuals' private health information isn't being adequately enforced, according to the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG issued two reports criticizing the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for failing to proactively enforce privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and follow … [Read more...] about Expect more concerted HIPAA enforcement due to OIG reports
Compliance checklist
Use this checklist to make sure you have complied with all the new and modified requirements in the HIPAA final rule: Notice of privacy practices Addresses breach notification rules Discusses uses for which authorization is required Advises patients they can request nondisclosure to health plan if they pay out-of-pocket Addresses sale of PHI Advises patients they can opt out … [Read more...] about Compliance checklist
Try this “win-win” solution to stop personal internet use by staff
Manager Beth C. Pharr of North East Orthopaedics in Tupelo, MS, relies on a basic management practice when she presents any new policy. "I make it a win-win situation," she says. "I tell staff 'this why it's necessary, and this is how it benefits you.'" Such was the case when Pharr set a policy to solve a problem common to almost every office – personal internet use. To … [Read more...] about Try this “win-win” solution to stop personal internet use by staff
HIPAA compliance audits: is your practice prepared?
By Paul Edwards bio The next round of HIPAA audits promised by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has been delayed since October 2014, but OCR has made it clear they are still going to happen. Their senior advisor, Linda Sanches, has informed medical office managers, "This is a good time to get your house in order." If … [Read more...] about HIPAA compliance audits: is your practice prepared?
HIPAA and records hiding somewhere in the hospital
Question: One of our physicians took patient charts to the hospital. Two of those charts were lost. They contained personal information such as Social Security numbers as well as the clinical notes. What information should I send to the patients? (Submitted by a New York manager – name withheld by request.) Answer: Respond first with common sense, advises health … [Read more...] about HIPAA and records hiding somewhere in the hospital
EEOC proposes rules for employer wellness programs to avoid potential discrimination
As the focus on quality and value intensifies, wellness programs will no doubt play an integral role in the health care system. The 2014 Employer Health Benefits Survey from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation reports that "[v]irtually all large employers (200 or more workers) and most smaller employers offer at least one wellness program." Furthermore, the survey indicates … [Read more...] about EEOC proposes rules for employer wellness programs to avoid potential discrimination
Medical selfies: photos with a purpose
Selfies, photos you take of yourself using a smartphone, are no longer a craze; they are a way of life. Usually, however, these photos serve little purpose besides entertainment. That may be about to change. DICOM Grid, an open cloud platform for medical imaging applications, has released "medical selfie," a new feature available through its mobile optimized medical image … [Read more...] about Medical selfies: photos with a purpose