Health Information Compliance Alert
Privacy:
The Truth Will Set You Free: Dispelling HIPAA's Most Persistent Myths
Don't fall for these dangerous HIPAA misconceptionsHIPAA misconceptions are every-where, a... Read more
The Truth Will Set You Free: Dispelling HIPAA's Most Persistent Myths
Don't fall for these dangerous HIPAA misconceptionsHIPAA misconceptions are every-where, a... Read more
Security:
Know The Facts About Faxing
Send the right messages with these simple tips Faxing: You do it every day - but can ... Read more
Know The Facts About Faxing
Send the right messages with these simple tips Faxing: You do it every day - but can ... Read more
Conferences:
Conference Calendar Corner
Whether you're interested in beginning your security rule training or you're still s... Read more
Conference Calendar Corner
Whether you're interested in beginning your security rule training or you're still s... Read more
Transactions:
Interview With An Enforcer - A Q & A With CMS
A CMS official sheds new light on the agency's contingency planWhile covered entities (CEs... Read more
Interview With An Enforcer - A Q & A With CMS
A CMS official sheds new light on the agency's contingency planWhile covered entities (CEs... Read more
The Third Degree:
Reader Questions Answered
Each month you submit your questions to Eli, and each month we do our best to answer them.... Read more
Reader Questions Answered
Each month you submit your questions to Eli, and each month we do our best to answer them.... Read more
Compliance Tool:
Guidelines for Using Fax Machines
Take these 9 steps to protect patient health information when faxing 1) Use a fax cov... Read more
Guidelines for Using Fax Machines
Take these 9 steps to protect patient health information when faxing 1) Use a fax cov... Read more
Health Information News
OFFICER ABSCONDS WITH PATIENT'S BLOODDespite a hospital staff member's protests, a police ... Read more
OFFICER ABSCONDS WITH PATIENT'S BLOODDespite a hospital staff member's protests, a police ... Read more
Transactions:
Flood Of Non-Compliant Claims Too Much For CMS
CMS's contingency plan intends to soak up October's TCS deluge The Centers for Medicare &... Read more
Flood Of Non-Compliant Claims Too Much For CMS
CMS's contingency plan intends to soak up October's TCS deluge The Centers for Medicare &... Read more
Encryption:
Follow These 5 Tips When Choosing An Encyrption Solution
Looking for an HIPAA encryption solution that works for your organization but doesn't brea... Read more
Follow These 5 Tips When Choosing An Encyrption Solution
Looking for an HIPAA encryption solution that works for your organization but doesn't brea... Read more
Encryption:
Encryption Doesn't have to cost an armful
Solutions that work for the little guyEven the smallest covered entities can obtain safe a... Read more
Encryption Doesn't have to cost an armful
Solutions that work for the little guyEven the smallest covered entities can obtain safe a... Read more
The Third Degree:
READER QUESTIONS ANSWERED
A HIPAA CHAIN OF COMMAND?We're a large hospital and but we have employed a HIPAA privacy o... Read more
READER QUESTIONS ANSWERED
A HIPAA CHAIN OF COMMAND?We're a large hospital and but we have employed a HIPAA privacy o... Read more
Conferences:
Conference Calendar Corner
Take a look below at some of the informative HIPAA seminars and conferences in your area.&... Read more
Conference Calendar Corner
Take a look below at some of the informative HIPAA seminars and conferences in your area.&... Read more
COMPLIANCE STRATEGIES:
OOPS! FESS UP TO ERRONEOUS DISCLOSURES
Being a covered entity means sometimes having to say you're sorryNobody likes having to ad... Read more
OOPS! FESS UP TO ERRONEOUS DISCLOSURES
Being a covered entity means sometimes having to say you're sorryNobody likes having to ad... Read more
SECURITY:
Get Staff Rolling With Role-Based Access Control
Stop unauthorized PHI disclosures before they start with 'RBAC'If you don't limit the amou... Read more
Get Staff Rolling With Role-Based Access Control
Stop unauthorized PHI disclosures before they start with 'RBAC'If you don't limit the amou... Read more
Sample Training Document:
For HIPAA Rookies, Offer HIPAA-Lite
While the training of residents, medical students, nursing students and other medical trai... Read more
For HIPAA Rookies, Offer HIPAA-Lite
While the training of residents, medical students, nursing students and other medical trai... Read more
Enforcement Update:
Complaints Soar - So Why Is Concern Low?
OCR claims many complaints simply 'misunderstandings'The recent spate of complaints levied... Read more
Complaints Soar - So Why Is Concern Low?
OCR claims many complaints simply 'misunderstandings'The recent spate of complaints levied... Read more
Financial Strategies:
Accounting For Disclosures Doesn't Require An Accountant
Consider your costs when assessing your accounting of disclosures feeSure, the first one's... Read more
Accounting For Disclosures Doesn't Require An Accountant
Consider your costs when assessing your accounting of disclosures feeSure, the first one's... Read more
HIPAA Quiz:
Can You Identify HIPAA's Identifiers?
By now you should be able to recognize a potential privacy rule violation in your sleep, b... Read more
Can You Identify HIPAA's Identifiers?
By now you should be able to recognize a potential privacy rule violation in your sleep, b... Read more
Heatlh Information News:
Catch Him If You Can! Phony Doc
A 70-year-old man currently serving a 12-year sentence on his fourth conviction for impers... Read more
Catch Him If You Can! Phony Doc
A 70-year-old man currently serving a 12-year sentence on his fourth conviction for impers... Read more
Incapacitated Patients Don't Knock Out HIPAA
3 Scenarios Will Help You Realize Your Obligations It's a common occurrence in many health... Read more
3 Scenarios Will Help You Realize Your Obligations It's a common occurrence in many health... Read more
Put These Top 5 Transactions Tips On Your 'To Do' List
They say time is money, and for covered entities, the hours used to ensure transactions co... Read more
They say time is money, and for covered entities, the hours used to ensure transactions co... Read more
CMS Gives Paper-Billers 'Get Out Of TCS Rule Free' Card
A few sharp tips will keep your compliance plan on the cutting edgeWhile covered entities ... Read more
A few sharp tips will keep your compliance plan on the cutting edgeWhile covered entities ... Read more
Sample HIPAA Security Officer Job Description
Whether you're thinking of creating a position in your facility for a HIPAA security offic... Read more
Whether you're thinking of creating a position in your facility for a HIPAA security offic... Read more
Conference Calendar Corner
From TCS compliance to security rule training, the month of September is chock full of HIP... Read more
From TCS compliance to security rule training, the month of September is chock full of HIP... Read more
Test Your HIPAA Smarts - It's Quiz Time!
Do you know the difference between an incidental disclosure and a HIPAA violation?Can you ... Read more
Do you know the difference between an incidental disclosure and a HIPAA violation?Can you ... Read more
Save Time And Money - Ask The Rights Questions
If you don't ask the right questions when it comes to HIPAA's transactions rule, how can y... Read more
If you don't ask the right questions when it comes to HIPAA's transactions rule, how can y... Read more
HIPAA quiz:
Permitted Disclosure Or Privacy Violation - Can You Hear The Difference?
Can you spot the difference between a permitted incidental disclosure and a potential HIPA... Read more
Permitted Disclosure Or Privacy Violation - Can You Hear The Difference?
Can you spot the difference between a permitted incidental disclosure and a potential HIPA... Read more
Reader Questions Answered
Doctors AnonymousQuestion: Are doctors required to remove their names from the outside of ... Read more
Doctors AnonymousQuestion: Are doctors required to remove their names from the outside of ... Read more
Security:
Tales From Encryption: Don't Turn E-mail Security Into A Horror Story
New Solutions To Secure E-mail TransmissionsIf you haven't evaluated both data in transfer... Read more
Tales From Encryption: Don't Turn E-mail Security Into A Horror Story
New Solutions To Secure E-mail TransmissionsIf you haven't evaluated both data in transfer... Read more
Not Sure Whether Encryption's For You? 4 Examples Will Help You Decide
Using the five variables enumerated by Jim Sheldon-Dean (see article "Tales From Encryptio... Read more
Using the five variables enumerated by Jim Sheldon-Dean (see article "Tales From Encryptio... Read more
Conferences:
Conference Calendar Corner
The HIPAA conference beat goes on in August as entities scramble to ensure testing solutio... Read more
Conference Calendar Corner
The HIPAA conference beat goes on in August as entities scramble to ensure testing solutio... Read more
The Third degree:
Reader Questions Answered
There was a wide range of reader questions this month, so we tried to single out a few HIP... Read more
Reader Questions Answered
There was a wide range of reader questions this month, so we tried to single out a few HIP... Read more
Don't Let Lost Diskettes Cause Deep Regrets:
6 Quick Tips To Keep 'Removable Media' In Check
You have your protected health information, but can you take it with you? Yes, you can, bu... Read more
6 Quick Tips To Keep 'Removable Media' In Check
You have your protected health information, but can you take it with you? Yes, you can, bu... Read more
With HIPAA Complaints, Tight Lips Sink Ships:
Not Knowing What To Say Can Bring Violations Your Way
There's no room to be tight-lipped when it comes to responding to patients' HIPAA queries,... Read more
Not Knowing What To Say Can Bring Violations Your Way
There's no room to be tight-lipped when it comes to responding to patients' HIPAA queries,... Read more
Privacy Rule Enforcement Taking Shape - Some Fear Outcome:
OCR Spills Beans On State Of Enforcement
Covered entities everywhere have been waiting with bated breath for news on how the HHS Of... Read more
OCR Spills Beans On State Of Enforcement
Covered entities everywhere have been waiting with bated breath for news on how the HHS Of... Read more
HHS, CAP WORK TO STANDARDIZE
Standardization is the name of the game for the Department of Health and Human Services, a... Read more
Standardization is the name of the game for the Department of Health and Human Services, a... Read more
Transactions:
TCS TESTING PLAN VITAL TO ENSURE YOUR BUSINESS' SURVIVAL
4 Tips To Help Avoid Enforcement Watchdogs And Lost Revenues If you haven't begun ... Read more
TCS TESTING PLAN VITAL TO ENSURE YOUR BUSINESS' SURVIVAL
4 Tips To Help Avoid Enforcement Watchdogs And Lost Revenues If you haven't begun ... Read more
Training Tips:
RESOLVING COMPLAINTS STARTS WITH YOUR FRONTLINE
4 Essential Tips To Prepare Your Frontline Staff Frontline staffers may be o... Read more
RESOLVING COMPLAINTS STARTS WITH YOUR FRONTLINE
4 Essential Tips To Prepare Your Frontline Staff Frontline staffers may be o... Read more
Privacy:
For Mental Health Care, Let Cooler Heads Prevail With Patient Notes
A 3-Step Process To HIPAA-Compliant Psychotherapy While HIPAA doesn't require provid... Read more
For Mental Health Care, Let Cooler Heads Prevail With Patient Notes
A 3-Step Process To HIPAA-Compliant Psychotherapy While HIPAA doesn't require provid... Read more
The Third Degree:
READER QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Thanks, HICA readers! We've received several great HIPAA questions this month. Now, thanks... Read more
READER QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Thanks, HICA readers! We've received several great HIPAA questions this month. Now, thanks... Read more
Privacy:
Eckerd Has Key To Compliance On The Cheap
Protecting patient privacy doesn't have to be either prohibitively expensive or mind-numbi... Read more
Eckerd Has Key To Compliance On The Cheap
Protecting patient privacy doesn't have to be either prohibitively expensive or mind-numbi... Read more
Privacy:
KEEP PHI STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
Although it should be painfully obvious by now to all covered entities that protected heal... Read more
KEEP PHI STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
Although it should be painfully obvious by now to all covered entities that protected heal... Read more
HIPAA Alert:
Avoid HIPAA Scams! How To Smell A 'HIPAA-Certified' Rat
The Tell-Tale Signs of HIPAA Scammers - And How To Combat ThemFrom companies offering "ce... Read more
Avoid HIPAA Scams! How To Smell A 'HIPAA-Certified' Rat
The Tell-Tale Signs of HIPAA Scammers - And How To Combat ThemFrom companies offering "ce... Read more
Notices of Privacy Practices:
OHCAs AND NOTICES OF PRIVACY PRACTICES: A CONFUSING COMBO
How OHCAs Can Slay The NPP Beast Knowing how to address HIPAA's notice of privacy practic... Read more
OHCAs AND NOTICES OF PRIVACY PRACTICES: A CONFUSING COMBO
How OHCAs Can Slay The NPP Beast Knowing how to address HIPAA's notice of privacy practic... Read more
Health Information News:
TEXAS MAN, ACCUSED OF DUI, LEARNS NOT TO MESS WITH HIPAA
Clayton Harper Tapp was involved in a motorcycle accident and was taken to Memorial Herman... Read more
TEXAS MAN, ACCUSED OF DUI, LEARNS NOT TO MESS WITH HIPAA
Clayton Harper Tapp was involved in a motorcycle accident and was taken to Memorial Herman... Read more
Sample Document:
GIVE PATIENTS PREFERENCES WITH PHONE MESSAGES
The benefits of proper and efficient communication with your patients is twofold: It's es... Read more
GIVE PATIENTS PREFERENCES WITH PHONE MESSAGES
The benefits of proper and efficient communication with your patients is twofold: It's es... Read more
HIPAA Study:
ARE YOU TRANSMITTING PHI IN YOUR E-MAIL?
A recent study reveals that many healthcare organizations are unwittingly transmitting pro... Read more
ARE YOU TRANSMITTING PHI IN YOUR E-MAIL?
A recent study reveals that many healthcare organizations are unwittingly transmitting pro... Read more
SECURITY:
Analyze This! Or Face Security Rule Risk
5 Easy Steps To Set Up Your Risk Analysis Plan Even though you likely performed a risk a... Read more
Analyze This! Or Face Security Rule Risk
5 Easy Steps To Set Up Your Risk Analysis Plan Even though you likely performed a risk a... Read more
PRIVACY:
HIPAA Meets the Holy, Asks For ID
Simply Praying For Compliance Won't Absolve You Of Privacy Violations A rabbi, a ministe... Read more
HIPAA Meets the Holy, Asks For ID
Simply Praying For Compliance Won't Absolve You Of Privacy Violations A rabbi, a ministe... Read more
ACCREDITATION:
HIPAA Accreditation: Is It Worth The Price Tag?
URAC's security rule compliance accreditation program is up and running, but some say th... Read more
HIPAA Accreditation: Is It Worth The Price Tag?
URAC's security rule compliance accreditation program is up and running, but some say th... Read more
PRIVACY:
Identity Thieves: Now Accepting Visa, Mastercard And PHI
Personal medical information: Don't leave home - or your clinic - without it. An orthope... Read more
Identity Thieves: Now Accepting Visa, Mastercard And PHI
Personal medical information: Don't leave home - or your clinic - without it. An orthope... Read more
HIPAA IN THE COURTS:
Docs' Bid To Dismantle HIPAA Falls To Pieces -For Now
Privacy Rule Challenge Won't Be The Last Like a massive elephant swatting away pesky fli... Read more
Docs' Bid To Dismantle HIPAA Falls To Pieces -For Now
Privacy Rule Challenge Won't Be The Last Like a massive elephant swatting away pesky fli... Read more
CONFERENCES:
Conference Calendar Corner
The buzzword in June is "security" as covered entities turn their attention away from pri... Read more
Conference Calendar Corner
The buzzword in June is "security" as covered entities turn their attention away from pri... Read more
SECURITY RULE TOOL:
'Chart' Your Security Rule Standards
HIPAA security rule compliance means you have your work cut out for you, and the feds... Read more
'Chart' Your Security Rule Standards
HIPAA security rule compliance means you have your work cut out for you, and the feds... Read more
THE THIRD DEGREE:
Reader Questions Answered
Readers, you've submitted several questions this month. Now it's ourturn to track down ... Read more
Reader Questions Answered
Readers, you've submitted several questions this month. Now it's ourturn to track down ... Read more
PRIVACY:
Soothe Tempers Before The OCR Comes Knockin'
If you don't properly address patients' privacy rule complaints, you'll waste time and ... Read more
Soothe Tempers Before The OCR Comes Knockin'
If you don't properly address patients' privacy rule complaints, you'll waste time and ... Read more
SECURITY QUIZ:
6 Simple Questions Will Jumpstart Your Compliance Engines
Just when you were feeling confident about the state of your privacy rule compliance, t... Read more
6 Simple Questions Will Jumpstart Your Compliance Engines
Just when you were feeling confident about the state of your privacy rule compliance, t... Read more
PRIVACY:
4 Tips For Handling Complaints
In the face of the potential HIPAA legal onslaught, what's a provider to do? Legal exper... Read more
4 Tips For Handling Complaints
In the face of the potential HIPAA legal onslaught, what's a provider to do? Legal exper... Read more
HEALTH INFORMATION NEWS:
Enforcement Cat Out Of Bag, Ready to Scratch
Just in time for your post-April 14 world, the HHS Office forCivil Rights has finally pr... Read more
Enforcement Cat Out Of Bag, Ready to Scratch
Just in time for your post-April 14 world, the HHS Office forCivil Rights has finally pr... Read more
THE THIRD DEGREE:
Reader Questions Answered
From the HHS Office for Civil Rights' most recent interim final rule outlining the agen... Read more
Reader Questions Answered
From the HHS Office for Civil Rights' most recent interim final rule outlining the agen... Read more
PRIVACY:
Do NPPs Require A Skilled Tongue?
Sprechen sie notice of privacy? Covered entities aren't compelled to become linguists b... Read more
Do NPPs Require A Skilled Tongue?
Sprechen sie notice of privacy? Covered entities aren't compelled to become linguists b... Read more
SECURITY:
12 Steps To Security Compliance Success
How secure is your PHI? A group of HIPAA experts assembled last month to provide covere... Read more
12 Steps To Security Compliance Success
How secure is your PHI? A group of HIPAA experts assembled last month to provide covere... Read more
SECURITY:
'Scrub-A-Dub-Dub': Sanitize Your PHI
Covered entities, be forewarned: If state organizations or others are hungry for your do... Read more
'Scrub-A-Dub-Dub': Sanitize Your PHI
Covered entities, be forewarned: If state organizations or others are hungry for your do... Read more
ACCREDITATION:
URAC Offers Stamp of Approval for Your Privacy Program
Got accreditation? No, the Department of Health and Human Services has said they don't re... Read more
URAC Offers Stamp of Approval for Your Privacy Program
Got accreditation? No, the Department of Health and Human Services has said they don't re... Read more
HIPAA PRIVACY:
Prepare Yourself for Privacy Complaints
Brace yourself, covered entities. If you have patients who feel like they've been licked ... Read more
Prepare Yourself for Privacy Complaints
Brace yourself, covered entities. If you have patients who feel like they've been licked ... Read more
THE THIRD DEGREE:
READER QUESTIONS ANSWERED: Got HIPAA Questions? We've Got Answers
From properdisposal of files to the appropriate use of passwords in your workforce, we kn... Read more
READER QUESTIONS ANSWERED: Got HIPAA Questions? We've Got Answers
From properdisposal of files to the appropriate use of passwords in your workforce, we kn... Read more
HIPAA STRATEGIES:
Batten Down Those HIPAA Hatches
The privacy rule deadline is only days away, but that doesn't mean privacy officers are... Read more
Batten Down Those HIPAA Hatches
The privacy rule deadline is only days away, but that doesn't mean privacy officers are... Read more
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS:
PHI Amendment: Request & Response
Direct from the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems to your doorstep, h... Read more
PHI Amendment: Request & Response
Direct from the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems to your doorstep, h... Read more
Security 6 TIPS TO START YOUR SECURITY RULE COMPLIANCE
What’s a federal regulation without controversy? Some say the answer might h... Read more
What’s a federal regulation without controversy? Some say the answer might h... Read more
Sample Document WHAT'S IT TAKE TO BE A PRIVACY OFFICER?
From responsibilities relating to the use and disclosure of protected health infor... Read more
From responsibilities relating to the use and disclosure of protected health infor... Read more
Privacy 9 TIPS FOR YOUR PRIVACY RULE CRASH COURSE
Still not up to snuff with implementation of your compliance plan? You just might be in ... Read more
Still not up to snuff with implementation of your compliance plan? You just might be in ... Read more
Transactions CMS FINALIZES TCS MODIFICATIONS
Fresh off its much-anticipated release of the security rule standards, the Departm... Read more
Fresh off its much-anticipated release of the security rule standards, the Departm... Read more
AccreditationMin GOT PRIVACY ACCREDITATION? URAC WANTS TO HELP
Well, they promised it, and now they’ve delivered. Accreditation corporation... Read more
Well, they promised it, and now they’ve delivered. Accreditation corporation... Read more
Privacy Litigation HOSPITAL IN TROUBLE AFTER PHI BUNGLE
Loose lips sink ships, and a receptionist’s exuberant gossiping torpedoed the D.C.... Read more
Loose lips sink ships, and a receptionist’s exuberant gossiping torpedoed the D.C.... Read more
Privacy Litigation JURY BLEEDS HOSPITAL FOR PRIVACY LEAKS
A guy walks into a bar and discloses medical information … No, it’s not the... Read more
A guy walks into a bar and discloses medical information … No, it’s not the... Read more
Privacy MINORS A MAJOR SOURCE OF PRIVACY MIGRAINES
What’s the matter with kids these days? Or more accurately, what will be the matte... Read more
What’s the matter with kids these days? Or more accurately, what will be the matte... Read more
Health Information News FRAUD FIGHTING BUDGET INCREASES THIS YEAR
The HHS Office for Civil Rights nets a cool $34 million in a proposed budget from ... Read more
The HHS Office for Civil Rights nets a cool $34 million in a proposed budget from ... Read more
Privacy TO AMEND OR NOT TO AMEND
Physicians and many other covered entities are wondering what’s the best way to ha... Read more
Physicians and many other covered entities are wondering what’s the best way to ha... Read more
Conferences CONFERENCE CALENDAR CORNER
Need more help implementing privacy procedures? Unsure how the Transactions and Co... Read more
Need more help implementing privacy procedures? Unsure how the Transactions and Co... Read more
Security PROGNOSIS FOR COMPLIANCE NOT A WAIT-AND-SEE MATTER
Sure, there’s no compliance deadline to fret over regarding HIPAA’s se... Read more
Sure, there’s no compliance deadline to fret over regarding HIPAA’s se... Read more
Privacy URAC ON TRACK FOR PRIVACY/SECURITY ACCREDITATION
Riding the HIPAA compliance train can be bumpy for many covered entities, but heal... Read more
Riding the HIPAA compliance train can be bumpy for many covered entities, but heal... Read more
Privacy 'P-JOBS' TRAIN GATHERS STEAM, CHUGS ALONG
A fairly new privacy job board service is playing matchmaker for companies seeking priva... Read more
A fairly new privacy job board service is playing matchmaker for companies seeking priva... Read more
Business Associates JCAHO RELEASES NEW AND IMPROVED BA MODEL
If at first you don’t succeed … revise, revise again. That’s the reas... Read more
If at first you don’t succeed … revise, revise again. That’s the reas... Read more
HIPAA Guidance OCR SEEKS HIPAA BEST, BRIGHTEST
In an effort to assist covered entities that are scrambling to meet the privacy rule&rsq... Read more
In an effort to assist covered entities that are scrambling to meet the privacy rule&rsq... Read more
Compliance Strategy HAVE YOU TAKEN 'ROLE' CALL YET?
With the privacy rule finalized and the security regs on their way, covered entities are... Read more
With the privacy rule finalized and the security regs on their way, covered entities are... Read more
Health Information News AHIMA PUTS PRIVACY CONCERNS IN WRITING
Deeply troubled by two recent events that question both the Department of Defense ... Read more
Deeply troubled by two recent events that question both the Department of Defense ... Read more