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Health Information Compliance Alert

Privacy Compliance:
Top Secret Disclosures
The accounting requirement's not as open as you think. The good news is you don't have to... Read more
You Be The Security Officer:
Could An Internet Connection Wreck Our Compliance Efforts?
Keeping your patient information safe online takes just a bit of commonsense. Question: O... Read more
Current Trends:
3 Tips Help You Avoid HIPAA Trouble Due to Staff Posts On Social Media Forums
Prohibit staff from making this No. 1 privacy mistake. Online social forums provide a gre... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
Don't Monkey Around At Home With Patients' PHI
Lax policies could throw a wrench in your HIPAA compliance plan. Do you allow your staff t... Read more
Security Compliance:
Hold On To E-Mailed PHI & Let Go Of Privacy Rule Violations
Remember: You have to save PHI in e-mails, too. Does your staff receive e-mail messages f... Read more
Security Strategies:
Keep Staff on Same HIPAA Page With Set Sanctions
Applying sanctions consistently when employees disclose PHI is most effective. Suppose a ... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
How To Nip Incidental Disclosures In The Bud
You can stop incidental disclosures from invading your office. Believe it or not, inciden... Read more
Reader Questions:
Citizen HIPAA
Question: Our office was asked for a patient's medical record in accordance with the Patr... Read more
Reader Questions:
My Lawyer Said What?
Question: Our office often provides patients' protected health information to our legal r... Read more
Security:
Use 5 Tips To Ensure Your HIMS System Makes The Security Rule Grade
Your management system is crucial for security rule compliance. Can your health informati... Read more
Security Compliance:
Is Your Complaint Process Making You An Enforcement Target?
5 tips to keep the bull's-eye off your back. The bad news: You're going to run into a HIP... Read more
Security:
Don't Let Disaster Recovery Wipe You Out
Expert guidance for a quick, cost-effective recovery plan. You've written HIPAA privacy a... Read more
Security Strategies:
4 Tips To Buttress Your Backup Process
Strengthen your plan before you get backed into a regulatory corner. Worried that your b... Read more
Security Compliance:
Evade The Encrypted PHI Trap
Naiveté won’t negate a security rule violation! You’ve encrypted yo... Read more
Industry News:
Can Doctor's Notes Open a Pandora's Box? The Slippery Side of HIPAA
Giving patients free access to medical records is fraught with concerns, say doctors. Sho... Read more
Reader Questions:
Reporting For Duty
Question: Our physician reported to a government agency that her patient's use of pain m... Read more
Reader Questions:
A News-Worthy Notice
Question: We have revised our notice of privacy practices (NPP). Do our patients need to ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Just The Fax, Please
Question: Our office recently switched to receiving faxes electronically. What is the bes... Read more
Privacy Compliance:
Are You Frustrated By Your Staff's Faxing Faux Pas?
5 tips to keep your faxes headed in the right direction. The privacy rule is on every pra... Read more
Security:
3 Strategies That Will Help You Gauge Your Security Risks
Whether you're a large or small provider, time is running out If you haven't started comb... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
How To Smooth Your PHI Amendment Request Process' Rough Edges
Get your process under control with these 4 easy steps. Sure, mistakes happen when proces... Read more
Security Compliance:
Hold On To E-Mailed PHI & Let Go Of Privacy Rule Violations
Remember: You have to save PHI in emails, too. Does your staff receive email messages from... Read more
Privacy:
Are You Letting Criminals Off The Hook?
Don't use HIPAA to hinder the police investigation. Scenario: A law enforcement agent ask... Read more
Industry News:
Is HIPAA Enforcement Too Lax At Present?
If violators are not going to be prosecuted (or fined) heavily, why should they worry? Th... Read more
In Other News:
Author of Obamacare Admits He Never Read His Own Bill
It's as crazy as it gets. When the healthcare bill that was signed into law by President ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Hit The Road With HIPAA
Question: Our doctors and nurses would like to start a mobile health outreach program to ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Sign and Date, Please
Question: Some of our patients didn't put the date with their signatures showing they rec... Read more
Reader Questions:
Make The Call
Question: We frequently get calls from patients wanting their medical information over th... Read more
Privacy Compliance:
Don't Let Your Notice Of Privacy Practices Go By The Wayside
3 expert tips to help you freshen up your privacy notice. Your notice of privacy practice... Read more
You Be The Privacy Officer:
Should You Track Your Employees' Contact With Patients' PHI?
Question: A patient requested that we account for all disclosures of her protected health... Read more
You Be The Privacy Officer:
Are Your Patients Shopping Around?
Question: One of our physicians is concerned that her patient may be "doctor shopping" fo... Read more
Security Strategies:
7 Steps To Save Your Security Incident Ship
These suggestions will keep your security rule compliance efforts moving. Knowing how to ... Read more
Privacy Compliance:
Know When To Curb Your Patients' PHI Restriction Requests
Granting restriction requests could be disastrous for both you and your patients. Do you ... Read more
You Be The Security Officer:
Is Your Multifunction Printer Harboring ePHI?
Question: We just bought a multifunction printer that also sends faxes, scans and makes c... Read more
Compliance Tips:
Can Your Staffers Call On You For Help?
Give your employees the gift of communication. Even if you've prepared your staff to hand... Read more
Industry News:
Issues Plague Patient"Doctor Interaction On Social Networking Web Sites
Friending patients on Facebook may lead to privacy violation issues, say experts. Should ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Auto-Reminders Won't Erase Your Compliance Efforts
Question: We plan to hire a service to send automatic telephone reminders to our patients... Read more
Reader Questions:
HIPAA Doesn't Halt For Holidays
Question: Our office wants to create a display at the local shopping center to remember o... Read more
Compliance:
How Careful Are You With Your Patients' Test Results?
10 tips on making sure patients, physicians see test results. If you're not vigilant abou... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Do We Have To Report All Employee Contact With Patients' PHI
Read the situation below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ... Read more
Privacy Compliance:
Recruit Research Participants Without Hitting HIPAA Hurdles
Here's a roadmap to guide you safely down the rocky recruitment path. While most of the m... Read more
Security Strategies:
Check Your Security Plan For These Safety Measures
Visitors could be downloading PHI right under your nose. Safeguarding your practice from ... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
Shore Up Privacy Rule Compliance With A PHI Kiosk
Don't forget -- your patients have access rights too! You may be so busy with other... Read more
Industry News:
Medical ID Theft: Is Anyone Safe Anymore?
The good news is staying out of harm's way takes just a few precautions. Electronic healt... Read more
Reader Questions:
Authorize Release For Employer Drug Tests
Question: A patient came in for a drug test that was initiated and paid for by her employ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Assess Employee's Reasons For Photocopying
Question: One of our nurses has been copying and taking home our physicians' daily schedu... Read more
Reader Questions:
Signed, sealed, delivered -- it's yours
Question: After a patient signs an authorization form for the release of protected health... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
Allow Patients Access To PHI With These Compliance Tips
Your response to PHI requests could save your compliance program. The privacy rule gives ... Read more
Security Strategies:
Use This Expert Advice To Stop HIPAA Scammers In Their Tracks
Don't be duped by a 'certified' HIPAA trainer who's a wolf in sheep's clothing. If you're... Read more
Privacy Strategies:
3-Step Process Helps Ensure HIPAA-Compliant Psychotherapy
For mental health care, let cooler heads prevail with patient notes. While HIPAA doesn't ... Read more
Security Strategies:
'Scrub-A-Dub-Dub' -- Take These Steps To Sanitize Your PHI
Don't scrap old computers before performing vital safety checks. Covered entities, be for... Read more
Industry News:
5 Hospital Employees To Be Fired For Inappropriate Social Media Use
They posted discussions about patients on Facebook. A hospital in California will fire fi... Read more
Industry Notes:
Security Plays An Important Part In Any HIE's Success
Privacy, Security Should Not Be An 'Afterthought'. Privacy and security issues must be a ... Read more
Technology Training:
Warn Your Staffers About This Wireless Technology Trap
Physician groups and other rogue access points could destroy your compliance efforts. If ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Privacy Rule Applies To Physician Phone Calls
Question: Many of our physicians speak with patients or other treating physicians over th... Read more
Reader Questions:
Submitting Electronic Claims? Use A BAA
Question: We are moving to electronic billing but currently submit paper claims. Do we ne... Read more
Privacy:
Follow 3 Tips When Handling Patient Privacy Concerns at Your Organization
Hint: Paper files can be breached just as easily as electronic files. You may be sure tha... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Should We Fess Up To All Erroneous Disclosures?
Read the situation below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ... Read more
NPP Strategies:
Untangle The Intricacies Of OHCAs And NPPs
Learn how OHCAs can slay the NPP beast. Knowing how to address HIPAA's notice of privacy ... Read more
Security Tool:
Use This Checklist On Your Next Walkthrough
Are you overlooking these crucial security breaches? Conduct a walkthrough to quickly and... Read more
Electronic Health Records:
Keep These EHR Issues At Top-of-Mind to Ensure You're Staying Compliant
An EHR can make your life easier, if your staff training is comprehensive. Your electroni... Read more
Industry News:
Data Security: Is It Really There In Healthcare Organizations?
No, if the latest HIMSS report is to be believed. Are our PHI and other sensitive data as... Read more
Reader Questions:
Minimum Necessary Applies To Patients' Names
Question: Is it OK to call out full names in a waiting room? Can you ask for "John Smith,... Read more
Reader Questions:
Solve This Drs Dilemma
Question: If the patient asks for a copy of her medical records, should the records from ... Read more
Reader Questions:
How Should We Account For Worker's Comp Disclosures?
Question: Workers' compensation disclosures are not listed as being exempt from the accou... Read more
CMS Forms:
Start Preparing Your Software Systems to Get Ready for the HIPAA 5010 Form
Heed this advice from CMS reps on the new "universal claim format," which takes effect in... Read more
Patient Privacy:
Outsourcing Security on Patient Privacy Can Be Helpful -- If You Know These 5 Essential Truths
Learn these facts before you nail down your HIPAA plan with a consultant. You may be reli... Read more
Therapy:
Occupational Therapists Get Their Own Piece of the EHR Pie
Look for electronic health records tailored toward OTs, thanks to a new licensing agreeme... Read more
Privacy:
Keep Your Remote Workers' Information Private With This Sample Document
Make sure your offsite workers are aware of security and privacy concerns. Your practice ... Read more
Privacy:
Sending PHI Via Email? Find out How to Make Sure It Stays Safe
Look at alternatives to encryption when you deem them necessary. An email that contains a... Read more
Security Strategies:
HIPAA Compliant Banks Can Save You Money
Banks performing more clearinghouse functions, say experts. Partnering with your bank to ... Read more
Compliance Tactics:
Nip Security Problems In The Bud With Walkthrough Inspections
Follow this advice to keep your compliance plan in shape. Your security compliance progra... Read more
Industry News:
Will The Feds Use EHR Taxes To Raise $20 Billion Healthcare IT Fund?
Medical device tax could pose big costs for consumers. Now that the $787 billion American... Read more
Electronic Health Records:
EHRs Can Earn You $44,000
You can collect incentive payments by participating with either Medicare or Medicaid&nbs... Read more
Training Tool :
Saddle Up With These Scripting Samples
Use this sample to craft your own practice's script. Has the cat got your staff's tongue ... Read more
Security Strategies:
You Be The Security Officer: Do We Have To Report All Employee Contact With Patients' PHI?
Read the situation below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our e... Read more
Electronic Health Records:
Healthcare Players Agree EHRs Have A Bright Future, Disagree About Timeframe
"How soon" depends on effectiveness of federal stimulus, experts say. The electronic heal... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Do We Have To Agree To Patients' Restriction Requests?
Read the situation below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our e... Read more
Industry News:
AMA Will Now Protect Physicians From Lopsided Negotiations With Health Plans
NMCC & accompanying database to provide necessary assistance. Finally, there's an onl... 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 a... Read more
Privacy Compliance :
Use These Quick Tips To Keep 'Removable Media' In Check
Don't let lost pen-drives and other removable media cause deep regrets. You have your pro... Read more
Training Strategies:
Attain Optimal Compliance By Scripting Responses For Frontline Staffers
Scripting makes your life easier by putting everyone on the same page. If all the world's... Read more
Privacy Tip:
For PHI Peace Of Mind, Be Kind & Remind
Crafting log-on banners helps staff safeguard protected info. Don't have the time or ener... Read more
Industry News:
Why Does HIPAA Still Not Have the Healthcare Industry On Its Toes?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) -- as was expected&nb... Read more
Security Compliance:
Don't Wager On HIPAA To Protect Patient Privacy At The Bank
But making the bank a business associate can temporarily safeguard your PHI. Do you send ... Read more
Compliance Tools:
Are You Leaving Your Patients In Limbo?
Don't let your patients think that their privacy complaints have fallen into a black-hole ... Read more
Privacy:
Maintain Your Privacy With These Safeguards
Health system puts over a million records at risk. If you've been putting privacy complia... Read more
Reader Questions:
Are Photographs PHI Identifiers?
Question: For demonstration purposes in a sales context, if a picture or video of a patie... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Permission Before Emailing Immunization Reminders
Question: We like to send email reminders to employees who need to update their immunizat... Read more
Security Compliance:
Incapacitated Patients and HIPAA -- Know Your Disclosure Obligations
3 scenarios help you when patients can't speak for themselves. It's a common occurrence i... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Should We Fess Up To All Erroneous Disclosures?
Read the situation below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ... Read more
Training Strategies:
Train Staff To Protect E-mail Without Encryption -- Here's How
You can secure e-mailed data without breaking the bank. Once you allow your staffers to s... Read more
Privacy Strategies:
Use This Script If A Patient Asks About Disclosures
If a staff member lacks basic knowledge about your office's disclosure policy, she could b... Read more
Industry News:
Health Net Sued For HIPAA Violations -- Slipped Up When It Came To Keeping PHI Safe
HITECH Act shows its teeth within 4 months of being implemented. In the first lawsuit of ... Read more
Transaction Tools:
Survey Helps You Save Time and Money With Software Vendors
HITECH Act shows its teeth within 4 months of being implemented. If you don't ask the rig... Read more
PHI Compliance:
Think A PHI Release Authorization Is Forever? Think Again
How to make sure your authorization hasn't expired One year ago, your patient signed an a... Read more
Reader Question:
Staff Follow Same PHI Access Rules As Patients
Question: How should a medical facility handle employees' access to their own medical rec... Read more
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