PATIENT RIGHTS:
Head Off Identity TheftWith This Red Flag Rule Prep
Published on Fri Feb 13, 2009
You may need to 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 the FTC's Web site. "To comply with the new Red Flags 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 per violation, the FTC says. The Commission pushed back the compliance [...]