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Health Information Compliance Alert

Security:
Start 2008 By Tightening Up Your Electronic Data Safeguards
7 system checks keep your data safe and sound. Your old data protection plan may not be e... Read more
Kickbacks:
Check This List Twice Before Giving Gifts
New Stark II refinements change little -- but plenty of caution is still in order. Bear t... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
How Deeply Can We Delve Into Payment Arrangements?
Question: One of our patients was admitted as self-pay. Previously, Medicare covered her ... Read more
Kickbacks:
Take A Fresh Look At Your Beneficiary Gift-Giving
Goodwill could land you in hot water. You may feel compelled to help needy patients or th... Read more
Security Compliance:
Cork PHI Leaks In Staff E-Mail With These Key Tactics
Use these strategies to keep your compliance plan strong without breaking the bank. When ... Read more
Compliance Tactics:
Overcome Contract Negotiation Challenges With This Checklist
10 tips can prevent carrier hassles. Carrier contract negotiation is often a long, diffic... Read more
Clip 'n' Save:
Use This Tool To Strip Your E-Mails Of Patients' PHI
Information that does not identify an individual is considered deidentified. That means th... Read more
Industry News:
Physicians' Claims Made Easier With NPI Claim Fields
CMS warns against denials with incorrect claims. Physicians will have one less thing to w... Read more
Continuing Education:
Boost Your Brain With A Quick Audioconference
Go to audioeducator.com to find out more.   Brushing up on your business skills... Read more
Reader Questions:
NPPs For Mother's Little Helpers
Question: A mother walks into a provider's office with her four children for the first ti... Read more
Reader Questions:
Keep Crimes From Killing Your Compliance Efforts
Question: Law enforcement officers recently contacted us about a patient that was treated... Read more
Reader Questions:
FTP Won't TKO Your Security Rule
Question: Our staffers want to use file transfer protocol (FTP) to send patients' confide... Read more
Privacy Strategies:
Be On Guard Against Incidental Uses & Disclosures Snafus
6 expert tips help you minimize your disclosure risk. You're putting a serious cramp in y... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Are Worker's Comp Disclosures Exempt?
Read the question below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ex... Read more
Security Tool:
Stop PHI Violations With A Workstation Security Policy
When securing your organization's computers and the PHI they contain, the best place to st... Read more
Security Strategies:
3 Steps Help You Catch Illegal Employee Behavior
Use these pointers to sniff out your staffers' suspicious activities. If you think your g... Read more
Security Training:
Take Good Care Of Your Phi
2 "reasonable precautions" you need to know about. Are you certain you're handling your e... Read more
Industry News:
Medical Identity Theft Plagues Half-Million Americans
Another assault to PHI is quietly gathering strength: medical identity theft. Rising heal... Read more
Continuing Education:
Medical Records Compliance and HIPAA -- Are You Making These Mistakes?
  Your healthcare practice could end up on the Office of Civil Rights’ hit ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Name-Calling Quandary
Question: Is it okay to call out full names in a waiting room? Can you ask for "John Smit... Read more
Reader Questions:
Saturday Night Fever
Question: How and when should providers distribute their NPPs if a patient calls up on a ... Read more
SECURITY:
5 Easy Ways To Protect Your Computers And Stamp Out Security Rule Breaches
Batten down workstations' hatches to ward off PHI leaks.Even the most advanced internal se... Read more
Security Compliance:
Don't Let Security Incidents Catch You By Surprise
Expert guidance helps you spot incidents before the feds spot you.You have to protect your... Read more
Information Technology Update:
HHS To Transition AHIC To Private Sector Entity
Health IT leadership not confined to federal decision makers.The feds are moving to furthe... Read more
YOU BE THE SECURITY EXPERT:
SHOULD WE PUT 'SELL BY' DATES ON AUTHORIZATIONS?
Question: Does an authorization always need an expiration date? Answer: The Privacy Rule r... Read more
HIPAA Training:
Don't Get Rear-Ended By Your Front Desk
Key: Train staff on Privacy Rule's minimum necessary requirements.When health care provide... Read more
Privacy Compliance:
The Right Way To Handle Patients' Confidential Communications Requests
4 steps to guarantee your staff doesn't spill the beans.The Privacy Rule mandates that you... Read more
Privacy Tool:
Use This Tool To Keep Track Of Patients' Confidential Communications Requests
                      Are you prep... Read more
Industry News:
Medicaid Crackdown On Noncompliant Prescriptions Underway
Overlooking this law will guarantee denials.On Oct. 1, state Medicaid directors began enfo... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
GROUP HEALTH PLANS CAN DISCLOSE PHI
Question: Can a group health plan disclose protected health information to the plan sponso... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
'CONSENT' DOESN'T IMPLY 'AUTHORIZATION'
Question: What is the difference between "consent" and "authorization" under the Privacy R... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
OFFICE GIFTS GET GREEN LIGHT
Question:  Do doctor's offices need to obtain authorization before distributing any k... Read more
SECURITY COMPLIANCE:
Don't Deep-Six Your Security Ship
Expert tips for smooth security incident sailing. Need help understanding what a security... Read more
National Provider Identifier Update:
Keep Your Legacy Numbers To Avoid Pay Glitches
Don't remove all of your legacy numbers from the National Provider Identifier (NPI) datab... Read more
Technology Update:
CMS Gives Green Light To Personal Health Records Pilot Program
Check out what Medicare is doing to help beneficiaries. The Centers for Medicare & Me... Read more
Security:
'Scrub-A-Dub-Dub': Sanitize Your PHI
Take the sledgehammer approach if need be, experts advise. Covered entities, be forewarne... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Should We Ask Patient Before Disclosing 'Reportable Disease'?
Read the question below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our e... Read more
Training:
Use Real-Life Examples For Most Effective HIPAA Training
One size does fit all where HIPAA privacy training is concerned. If you're planning to ed... Read more
Industry News:
Post-Acute Assessment Reform Demo Looking For You
Get a sneak peak at a tool that could reshape your patient evaluations. A demonstration p... Read more
In other news...
You'd better make sure your HIPAA policies and procedures are up to snuff. The feds may b... Read more
Reader Question:
Power of Attorney Remains Intact
Question: How does the Privacy Rule affect how hospitals should treat power of attorney? ... Read more
Reader Question:
PHI Access For Mentally Retarded
Question: I work in a small, state-funded clinic that sees many patients (adult) with men... Read more
Reader Question:
Minors Retain HIPAA Rights
Question: What happens to a minor's health information Ð in terms of access Ð when the ... Read more
ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS:
Go With EHR to Improve Billing Accuracy, Efficiency
Easy 3-step approach takes the guesswork out of system selection. If you're not using ele... Read more
CLIP AND SAVE:
Ask the Right EHR Questions
Arm yourself with this handy list when you talk to vendors. Making sure you get concrete... Read more
CLIP AND SAVE:
10 Pluses Justify the Hefty Cost of Implementing an EHR System
Overcome cost objections with these proven EHR winning points. With new technology emerg... Read more
Make the Most of an EHR System by Choosing the Right Features
Using this list will ensure you don't miss out on an important component. You wouldn't bu... Read more
Beware -- Too Much EHR Cutting and Pasting Could Wound You
Your electronic health records (EHRs) could soon need an upgrade. In March, RTI Internati... Read more
Privacy:
You Can't Hide In The Privacy Rule's Shadows
Eli's experts clear up 'job shadowing' confusion. Is your facility bustling with students,... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
How Do We Handle Debt Collection Without Violating HIPAA?
  Question: Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule prohibit health care providers or insurance p... Read more
National Provider Identifier Update:
Don't Count On The NPI Database Just Yet
  Delay will help create a more accurate resource, says CMS. Just when it seemed like... Read more
Security Document:
Be Sure You're Ready For Guests
  8 important criteria keep you compliant when visitors are on the premises. Not sur... Read more
Technology Update:
National Health Information Network Up And Running
  Report catches you up on what a national "network of networks" is up to. If the mu... Read more
Security:
5 Easy Ways You Can Batten Down Your Workstations' Hatches
  Experts reveal how to protect your computers and keep security rule violations at b... Read more
Industry News:
HHS Steps In To Improve Patient Communication
  This plan could help your healthcare organization learn better communication strate... Read more
Reader Questions:
What You Can Tell Visitors About Patients
  Question: I'm a desk nurse in hospital in a major metropolitan area. Given all this... Read more
Reader Questions:
Pick Up Rx For Family Members
  Question: Is it still okay to allow a patient's family members to pick up prescript... Read more
Reader Questions:
Voice Recordings Pose Challenges
  Question: I'm a physician in a small practice. What does the HIPAA rule have to sa... Read more
NPI UPDATE:
Keep These Key Dates In Mind For NPI Compliance
If you're not careful, claim rejections could start this summer.If your to-do list include... Read more
Electronic Transactions:
The Feds Are Making Health IT A Top Priority--Are You?
Selecting certified software is a crucial step on the road to compliance.The government is... Read more
Having Trouble Using Electronic Health Records?
DOQ-IT project may be your best bet.If you use or are thinking of using EHR, you should le... Read more
Training Strategies:
From The Ground Up--Tips For Building Your Security Training Program
Use these simple guidelines to secure your organization's training.Are you certain your em... Read more
YOU BE THE SECURITY EXPERT:
ARE WE ALLOWED TO DISCLOSE PHI To TELEMARKETERS?
Read the question below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ex... Read more
Compliance Resource:
Ever Wonder How to Write a Business Associate Contract?
If you find yourself flummoxed when confronted with the challenge of writing business asso... Read more
Clip And Save Tool:
Record Your Employees' Training With This Form
Documenting training could serve you well if auditors come to call.Don't forget to log eac... Read more
Industry News:
New Bill Promotes E-Records Benefits
The "Medicare for All" bill would help the some 46 million Americans currently without hea... Read more
NPI Questions? Look No Further
If you have a general question about the contingency plan, check the Frequently Asked Ques... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
SHOULD WE SOUNDPROOF OUR OFFICE?
Question:  I'm a physician in a small practice.  The walls in our office are kin... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
STRATEGY HELPS PREVENT PHI LEAKS FROM CHARTS
Question: I work in a student health clinic for a major university and I have a question: ... Read more
SECURITY:
New Security Rule Crackdown Could Strike You
Hospital lands audit number one.  Is your facility next?A low-key approach to keeping... Read more
NPI Compliance:
Get Your NPI Ducks In A Row To Avoid Penalties
What constitutes a good faith effort?Guess who gets to decide if you're complying with the... Read more
NPI Training:
Answers To Your Key NPI Implementation Questions
Make sure you know the facts before May 23rd to ensure your organization is compliant.1. W... Read more
NPI Compliance:
Extra NPI Leeway May Be A Trap--Watch For This Glitch
Don't expect everybody else to be up to speed in time.You now have an extra year to get up... Read more
YOU BE THE SECURITY EXPERT:
CAN MEDICAID AGENCIES AND MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS TRADE PHI?
Question: Are a Medicaid state agency and a Medicare Advantage plan allowed to share prote... Read more
Compliance News:
HHS Launches New Privacy Rule Web Site
Do you understand all the ins and outs of the Privacy Rule? Take a peek at this site to ge... Read more
Clip And Save Tool:
Adapt This Form For Your PHI Amendments
When a patient wants a PHI correction, pull out this handy document.Direct from the Oregon... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
Have You Hit The PHI River Without A Paddle?
Avoid rough waters with a business associate agreement. Do you store your PHI at a da... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
SHOW OFF YOUR NEW NOTICE
Question: We recently revised our notice of privacy practices (NPP) to reflect that we wil... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
Question: One of our nurses was cleared to return to work after being out with a back inju... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
KEEP CRIMES FROM KILLING YOUR COMPLIANCE EFFORTS
Question: Law enforcement officers recently contacted us about a patient that was treated ... Read more
Privacy:
Don't Let HIPAA Breaches Trip Up Your Facility
HHS security guidance targets electronic PHI. HIPAA is on CMS' radar screen right now, so... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Can Insurance Companies Disclose PHI?
Read the question below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ... Read more
Security:
Don't Duplicate HIPAA Violations: Secure Your Digital Copiers Now
Avoid major security risks with these tips. If you're using a digital office copier in yo... Read more
HIPAA Quiz:
Permitted Disclosure Or Privacy Violation -- What's The Difference?
HIPAA Quiz: Permitted Disclosure Or Privacy Violation -- What's The Difference? 5 scenari... Read more
Security Compliance:
Identity & Authenticity: A Dynamic Duo You Need To Meet
Use these tools to ensure your security rule compliance. The HIPAA security rule not only... Read more
Security:
Are Your Faxes Accidents Waiting To Happen?
Send the right messages with these simple tips. Faxing: You do it every day -- but can yo... Read more
Security News:
Identity Theft Task Force Implements Protections
Learn what the government is doing to keep your private information safe. A special task ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Do We Account For Audit Logs?
Question: We have begun auditing our computer systems. Through an exam of the audit logs... Read more
Reader Questions:
Who Signs Whose BAA?
Question: We have decided to use a clearinghouse for our transactions. The company we've... Read more
PRIVACY:
4 Privacy Rule Mistakes You Can't Afford To Make
Don't muddle your compliance with misinterpretations.Is your organization still struggling... Read more
YOU BE THE SECURITY EXPERT:
STOP, DROP AND ROLL TO EXTINGUISH PRIVACY FIRES
Read the question below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ex... Read more
Security:
Review Security Rule Policies, Feds Urge
Laptops in the field okay--but vulnerable, guidance says.Make sure you didn't miss this in... Read more
Enforcement:
HIPAA Widens Scope, Toughens Penalties With Final Enforcement Rule
Reviewing the Final Rule's provisions could save you time and money.How much do you know a... Read more
Privacy:
For Mental Health Privacy, Let Patient Notes Prevail
Check out this 3-step process To HIPAA-compliant psychotherapy.While HIPAA doesn't require... Read more
Privacy Tool:
Are You Protecting Your PHI In Emergencies? Decision Tool Helps You Find Out
Answer 3 questions and keep your emergency plan HIPAA complaint.Were you aware that the U.... Read more
Industry News:
New Site Helps You Avoid Communication Gaps
3 keys resources could keep you free of federal scrutiny.Healthcare providers who enc... Read more
Training Document:
For HIPAA Rookies, Offer HIPAA-Lite
Simple guidelines keep your organization safe from trainee mishaps.While the training of r... Read more
Brochure Helps You Understand Privacy and Anti-Discrimination Policy
These reminders could help you avoid a violation.If you have questions about what constitu... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
DON'T DRIVE PRIVACY AWAY WITH YOUR PATIENTS
Question: We want to hire a company to transport patients to and from other medical facili... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
HEAR TREATMENT TALK? SPILL THE PHI
Question: A speech therapist at the local elementary school sent us a request for informat... Read more
SECURITY ~ 12 Steps To Security Compliance Success
Hint: A careful risk analysis can put you back on track. How secure is your protected heal... Read more
TECHNOLOGY ~ Stay Ahead Of The Curve With These EMR Pointers
Here's how you can help make interoperable records a reality. Think you have to sit back a... Read more
COMPLIANCE ~ 4 Strategies To Help You Grant Role-Based Access
You can stamp your patients' PHI 'for authorized eyes only' - here's how Role-based access... Read more
CASE STUDY ~ Level Your Role-Based Access Playing Field In 3 Easy Steps
How one professional avoids access landmines. There is no perfect way to grant role-based ... Read more
PHI TOOL ~ Sample Policy Helps You Avoid Role-Based Access Detours
Take the guesswork out of PHI compliance in critical situations with this template. Your ... Read more
YOU BE THE SECURITY EXPERT ~ How Can We Protect PHI During Home Visits?
Question: What should we be doing to protect PHI when we provide treatment in patients' ho... Read more
INDUSTRY NEWS ~ Health IT Gets A New Look In Patient Health Records
Providers won't need a computer to access records from this credit-cardsized product. Medi... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Set Trainees Straight With PHI
Question: We're an academic medical center and we must routinely teach our medical student... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ FTP Won't TKO Your Security Rule Compliance
Question: Our staffers want to use file transfer protocol (FTP) to send patients' confiden... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Put Your Grand Opening in the Public Eye
Question: Our doctors are opening a new location on the other side of our city. Can we sen... Read more
COMPLIANCE STRATEGY:
Preempt Potential Privacy Violations With These 8 Tips
Perform regular audits before the feds audit you. Regularly auditing your HIPAA compliance... Read more
SECURITY:
With Sanctions Policies, 'Shame On You' Just Won't Do
From warnings to termination, you must show determination. Not having a sanctions policy i... Read more
SECURITY:
Analyze This! Or Face Security Rule Risks
4 easy steps to set up your risk analysis plan. Even though you likely performed a risk an... Read more
SECURITY:
Tales From Encryption: Don't Turn E-mail Security Into A Horror Story
Try these new solutions to secure e-mail transmissions. If you haven't evaluated both data... Read more
Not Sure Whether Encryption's For You?
4 examples will help you decide. Using the five variables enumerated by Jim Sheldon-Dean (... Read more
YOU BE THE SECURITY EXPERT:
Are Virtual Signatures HIPAA Compliant?
Question: What is the purpose of an electronic signature? How would it protect our patient... Read more
READER QUESTION:
Trashing Hard Copies? Not So Fast
Question: How should our medical practice dispose of hard copies of files?Missouri Subscri... Read more
READER QUESTION:
New Software May Not Be Necessary
Question: Since the security reg is 'technology-neutral' and doesn't require CEs to buy ne... Read more
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