HIPAA Compliance

As of September, 23rd of 2013, covered entities should have updated their HIPAA Compliance programs to comply with the final HIPAA Omnibus rules. The final rules became effective on March 26, 2013 but gave covered entities 180 days to comply with the rules. Covered entities that have not updated their compliance programs to comply with the final omnibus rules requirements need to do so immediately....

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Covered entities should have updated their privacy and security rules to comply with the final HIPAA Omnibus rules as of September 23rd, 2013. The final rules became effective on March 26, 2013 but gave covered entities 180 days to comply with the rules. Covered entities that have not updated their privacy and security rules to comply with the final omnibus rules requirements need to do...

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Under the final Omnibus Rule that will start being enforced on September 23, 2013 things have changed. The department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is going to start enforcing the final Omnibus Rules. The fines have increased for those practices that are not following the new regulations. The OCR will determine whether a medical practice is complying with the...

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Many practice managers and medical providers do not like to hear the work “outsource” when it comes to their medical billing. One of the main concerns with outsourcing is about losing control and having to let practice staff go. However, many medical practices find themselves overwhelmed with their day to day operations and experience issues with their billing and patient collections. In cases where the...

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At $1.2M, HIPAA photocopy breach proves costly   HITECH notification rule leads to settlement after CBS News story   The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has settled with Affinity Health Plan, a New York-based managed care plan, for HIPAA violations to the tune of $1,215,780 after a photocopier containing patient information was compromised.   Affinity filed a breach report with the HHS Office for Civil Rights on April...

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The changes to the Omnibus Rules that are going into effect on Sept 23 2013 require that all medical practices must update their Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) by Sept 23 2013.   According to our friends at the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA) there are 5 significant changes that need attention:   1) You must update information on your use and disclosure of PHI that requires authorization:   a. Most...

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It is not uncommon for providers to use electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets to conduct their day to day functions within a healthcare facility or practice. Covered entities must ensure that The Health Care Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security rules are put in place when using mobile devices. At the same time, HIPAA does not provide any requirements...

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