Patient Rights:
PREPARE FOR RED FLAGS RULE BY HEADING OFF IDENTITY THEFT
Published on Mon Feb 09, 2009
Most home care providers must comply with this surprising requirement by May 1. On May 1, the Federal Trade Commission will begin enforcing its "Red Flags Rules" to ensure that businesses crack down on identity theft. Although many home care providers don't feel that these rules apply to them, the feds will likely feel otherwise. Under the Red Flags Rule, "certain businesses and organizations -- including many doctor's offices, hospitals, and other health care providers -- are required to spot and heed the red flags that often can be the telltale signs of identity theft," according to an article on FTC's Web site (see Eli's HCW, Vol.XVIII, No. 1, p. 3). "To comply with the new RedFlags Rule ... you may need to develop a written 'red flags program' to prevent, detect, and minimize the damage from identity theft." Entities found in violation of the rule may face up to $2,500 [...]