Health Information Compliance Alert
Your Compliance Is Not Technology-Dependent
Question: Our tech team wants to use voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and Web cameras in our telemedicine program. They are also interested in these technologies for some business and administrative use. Would VoIP or Web cameras jeopardize our security rule compliance? Answer: "No," claims Rick Ensenbach, senior security consultant with Shavlik Technologies in Roseville, MN. The security rule doesn't mandate that you use -- or don't use -- any technology. But if you do implement a new policy or procedure, like VoIP or Web cameras, you must make sure you can continue to protect your patients' PHI. Bottom line: You can use VoIP or Web cameras, but first you'll need to conduct a risk assessment to determine if you can accept and prepare for the risks posed by those technologies.
Health Information Compliance Alert
- IDENTITY THEFT:
No Red Flags Program? You Could Be Losing Thousands
Tip: Institute your Red Flags program ASAP. You may think the government is implementing the [...] - Identity Theft:
Act Quickly If Your Practice Identifies a Red Flag
Identity theft is nearly a $50 billion industry. You've implemented a Red Flags program at [...] - Information Technology:
Feds Roll Out Free Health IT Software
Federal Health Architecture aims to help providers CONNECT. The Department of Health and Human Services' [...] - Electronic Health Records:
Just How Valuable Are Electronic Health Records?
Concrete data on HIT's value is a little sketchy, researchers say. The federal government is [...] - Compliance:
OIG Advisory Opinion Process Can Be Long,Arduous -- and Costly
The Advisory Opinion will give you peace of mind, so proceed with requesting one if [...] - Compliance:
Signed Certification Statements Are Essential to Your Medicare Enrollment, CMS Says
Plus: CMS clarifies IPPE reimbursement policy. If you're using the PECOS system, your work doesn't [...] - Reader Questions:
Send Your NPP to Participants Only
Question: We work with an employer-sponsored health plan, but we are confused as to who [...] - Reader Questions:
Your Compliance Is Not Technology-Dependent
Question: Our tech team wants to use voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and Web cameras [...] - Reader Questions:
Set a Standard Fee for Patient Copies
Question: We recently realized that our remote sites charge different amounts for patients to receive [...] - INDUSTRY NEWS:
Texas Hospital Pays Nearly $10 Million for Inflated Outlier Charges
'The consultant told me to do it' isn't a valid defense. If you've increased your [...] - In other news…
CMS wants to get a handle on the number of Medicare patients that are readmitted [...]
