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Health Information Compliance Alert

Security:
3 Proven Tactics Protect Your Transcribed PHI
Use a security questionnaire to iron out your vendor's security rule wrinkles. If your me... Read more
Security Strategies:
Arm Yourself Against Security Breaches With This Strategy
Use your firewall to ward off malicious attacks. You already have the foundation to build... Read more
Security Strategies:
Set Your Vendors' Security Standards With This Form
Work with your tech team to develop and define your security needs. Your best security ru... Read more
Security Tip:
Prepare For a New Crop of Portable Devices
Use this list to catch all the new devices in your facility. A slew of portable devices a... Read more
Security:
Pump Up Your Purchasing Savvy to Avoid Security Rip Offs
Beware of products that claim to be "HIPAA compliant." Your security compliance hinges on... Read more
Security Compliance:
Respond to Your Security Breach in 4 Easy Steps
Here's how your employees can help you thwart data thieves. With the number of reported s... Read more
News:
FTC: Healthcare Providers Could Be Considered 'Creditors'
Federal Trade Commission pulls in health care entities but extends rule deadline. Healthc... Read more
Reader Questions:
Send Your NPP to Participants Only
Question: We work with an employer-sponsored health plan, but we are confused as to who s... Read more
Reader Questions:
YOU CAN USE WEB CAMERAS
Question: Our tech team wants to use voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and Web cameras ... Read more
Reader Questions:
CHOOSE ONE FEE FOR PATIENT COPIES
Question: We recently realized that our remote sites charge different amounts for patient... Read more
Compliance Update:
OIG Calls for Crackdown on Faulty HIPAA Security
Prepare for scrutiny of your security practices in 2009. Now's not the time to let your g... Read more
Compliance Update:
CMS Outlines E-prescribing Initiative in 2009 Physician Fee Schedule
Final Rule also spruces up PQRI incentives. Times are changing, and physicians and ne... Read more
Security:
Know What Contract Best Protects
When do TPAs fit better than BAAs? The answer may surprise you. A business associate agre... Read more
Security Compliance:
You Can Safely Send Instant Messages --" Here's How
Think sending instant messages will shut down your systems? Think again. Allowing your em... Read more
Security Strategies:
Don't Let an Emergency Wipe Out Your Security Compliance
Create a contingency plan that will prepare your staff members to handle any disaster. Do... Read more
Clip 'N' Save:
Use This Tool to Ensure Correct Documentation
Hold on to this information or kiss your security compliance goodbye. If you can't rattle... Read more
Security Tip:
Prepare to Accept These IM Security Risks
Your firewall won't catch viruses sent via an instant message. Instant messaging can stre... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Are We Violating Patient Privacy When We Call the Police?
Question: Our front line staff are excellent at calming upset patients, but recently one ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Protect PHI With Automatic, Locked Screensavers
Question: Our IT department wants to require that each workstation's password-protected s... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Withhold Patients' Medical Records
Question: A few of our patients have asked for a full, unedited copy of their medical rec... Read more
Transactions Update:
Mark Your Calendar: ICD-10 Could Hit in 2011 and Bring Massive Changes
Don't wait until the last minute to refit your systems. You're busy updating your superbi... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
How Do You Handle An On-Site Privacy Rule Investigation?
Question: We're adding to our privacy compliance handbook a section on how to respond to ... Read more
Compliance:
OIG: You Can Hire a Contractor to Process Pre-Authorizations
But the arrangement mustn't induce referrals. If you abhor the tedious job of performing ... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
Top 3 Reasons to Keep Your Patients' PHI on U.S. Soil
Is offshoring an option for you? Here's how to find out. Your first question when contemp... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
Put Anti-Offshoring Measures in Perspective
Not every offshore data processor is a potential identity thief, but that doesn't mean you... Read more
Security:
Guard Against Internet Scams with These Expert Strategies
Keep your staffers on their toes with regular procedure updates and e-mail reminders. If ... Read more
Clip 'N' Save:
Use These Guidelines to Safeguard Against Internet Attacks
Send e-mail scams to the recycling bin with these tips. Think your employees know how to ... Read more
Internet Safety Tip:
Be On the Lookout for This Sinister Scam
You have every reason to worry that your patients could be tricked into divulging their i... Read more
Reader Questions:
CMS Offers You an
Question: I work for a large clinic, and we've struggled to implement the new ABN form. T... Read more
Reader Questions:
Mass E-mails Aren't No-Nos
Question: We would like to send a quarterly e-mail newsletter to our patients who have pr... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
6 Tips Streamline Your Accounting
Use this advice to ensure compliance during PHI leaks. If you can't recognize an incidenta... Read more
Security:
Here's How to Give 'Access Creep' the Ole Heave-Ho
Expert guidance helps you keep tabs on who's got access. Do you have a method to evaluate ... Read more
Privacy:
Don't Rely on Aliases to Protect Your Patients' PHI
You can protect your patients' information without changing their names. Picture it: Brad ... Read more
Security:
Depend On Dummy Data To Protect PHI During System Tests
Use this advice to ensure your patients' information gets used only when necessary. If you... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
6 Proven Methods Can Plug Portable Devices' Security Gaps
Find out how to keep your organization's data safe from unauthorized users. It can happen ... Read more
Reader Question:
Be Wary Of Teen Pregnancies
Question: A 16-year-old patient presented with flu-like symptoms. After running tests, we ... Read more
Reader Question:
Let Patients Request Staff Follow Ups
Question: Many of our critical care staff become attached to the patients they treat and w... Read more
Security:
3 Proven Methods Put The Brakes On Security Breaches
Train staff members to deal with violations before PHI winds up in the wrong hands. A sec... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
Rely On Your Sanctions Policy To Mitigate PHI Leaks
The sanctions you impose could determine your patients' reactions to inappropriate disclo... Read more
Privacy:
Expert Tips To Help You Cover Your Bill Collection Bases
Use our checklist to ensure your collector's compliance. The last thing you need to worry... Read more
Sanctions Tool:
Put Your Sanctions Savvy To The Test
Don't wait for a violation to test your ability to effectively use your sanctions policy t... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
5 Quick Tips to Quash Staffers' Common Compliance Mistakes
You can prevent your personnel's PHI transmission slip-ups-here's how. Do fax and e-mail ... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Can We Take Training To The Job Level?
Read the situation below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ... Read more
Sample Policy:
Prevent Media Disposal Mishaps With This Policy
Train staffers on the appropriate steps to take when their hardware's time is up. A sound... Read more
Reader Question:
Sign Up To Protect Patient Privacy
Question: We would like patients to write down their date of birth or the last four digit... Read more
Enforcement:
Provider Slapped With First HIPAA Settlement -- And It's A Big One
You could be next, OCR official threatens. If you've been letting HIPAA concerns languish... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Do We Have To Agree To Patients' Restriction Requests?
Are different keys for inside and outside doors a security violation? Read the situation ... Read more
Compliance:
Take These 6 Steps To Shore Up Your HIPAA Compliance
Don’t let harsher enforcement catch you by surprise. Providers that have let the... Read more
Compliance Tips:
Cut The Cord On Your Wireless Patient Access Concerns
You can allow patients to use a wireless connection without ruining your compliance progr... Read more
Case Study:
Tips For Taming The Wireless Access Beast
Wireless networking isn't the technology bear it's made out to be. That's the attitude Fe... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
Consider All the Legal Aspects Before Implementing A Wellness Program
First step: Choose a participation-only or standard-based program. Having a company welln... Read more
Industry News:
Brace For Changes In The Appeals Process
Providers who submit claims to a Medicare fiscal intermediary will be operating under revi... Read more
Reader Question:
Avoid Severe Automatic Logoff Policies
Question: Our information systems department has asked that all workstations be set to au... Read more
Security:
5 Building Blocks to Construct a Secure Password Policy
Use these elements to keep your passwords -- and your patients' PHI -- out of sight There... Read more
Information Management:
Prepare for GINA By Starting to Implement Changes Now
Tip: Revise your employee documents to eliminate genetic info requests On May 21, Preside... 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 ... Read more
Compliance Strategies:
How to Help Your Business Associates Protect PHI
Remember: You don't have to police your associates. You don't have to bend over backwards... Read more
Eli HealthcareCompliance Tips:
Take These Steps To Steer Visitors Away From PHI
You can open your organization to visitors -- here's how. Whether you allow anyone to loo... Read more
Sample Document:
Get Your Vendors On The Bandwagon With This Form
Protect your organization's PHI from sales pitches. Before another vendor enters your non... Read more
Industry News:
HHS Secretary Lauds Electronic Health Records Project
Selected groups to get cash rewards up to $290,000. Mike Leavitt, HHS secretary, applaude... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Deny Access to Your Deceased Patients' PHI
Question: The family of a recently deceased patient wants access to the patient's entire ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Put Your Grand Opening In the Public Eye
Question: Our doctors are opening a new location on the other side of our city. Can we se... Read more
Compliance:
4 Strategies Help You Grant Role-Based Access
You can stamp your patients' PHI 'for authorized eyes only' -- Here's how. Role-based acc... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Will Employees' Fitness Centers Become Business Associates?
Read the situation below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ... Read more
Case Study:
Level Your Role-Based Access Playing Field In 3 Easy Steps
Professional advice helps you avoid access landmines. There is no perfect way to grant ro... Read more
Sample Policy:
Avoid Detours On The Way To Role-Based Access
Adapt these guidelines for temporary PHI rights. Your access policy shouldn't serve as a ... Read more
Technology:
Are You Using EMR Yet? Don't Get Left Behind
Here's how you can make interoperable records a reality. Think you have to sit back and w... Read more
Security Strategies:
How To Keep Your Outdated Hardware From Leaking PHI
Use these best practices when removing health information from your office. You know your... Read more
Industry News:
CMS Clarifies Hospice Signature Requirements
Also: Get advice from Medicare to discover differences between payment review programs. Y... Read more
In other news …
• Have you confused NCCI, MUE and CERT with one another? If this alphabet soup has you s... Read more
Reader Questions:
Avert Trauma By Protecting Surgery List
Question: We're a busy four-doctor orthopedic office, and our physicians are trauma surge... Read more
Reader Questions:
Look To States For Communicable Disease Rules
Question: An employee who works at our company has shingles and has been in contact with ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Spouse Gets Special Privileges Under HIPAA
Question: How does HIPAA affect married couples? Does HIPAA allow for more disclosure to ... Read more
National Provider Identifier:
Expect Denials If You Don't Have Referring Docs' NPIs
Are you ready for the May 23 deadline? When March 1 passed, many practices thought they w... Read more
Security:
5 Steps To Guarantee Your Security Measures Make The Grade
Professional guidance will ensure your security rule compliance -- before it's too late. ... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
When Should We Distribute The NPP?
Question: The entire front-office staff collaborated on a fact sheet about the privacy an... Read more
Security Compliance:
Cork PHI Leaks In Staff E-Mail With These Key Tactics
Use these strategies to keep your compliance plan strong without breaking the bank. When ... Read more
Clip 'n' Save:
Use This Tool To Strip Your E-Mails Of Patients' PHI
Information that does not identify an individual is considered deidentified. That means th... Read more
Security Strategies:
Don't Assume PHI Is Safe In Staffers' Homes
5 tips help you protect your patients’ PHI in an unsecure environment. It seems ... Read more
Sample Policy:
Take Your Patients' PHI Out of the Scrap Heap
Don't depend on your staff to make sound on-the-spot decisions about patient e-mails. Use ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Keep Crimes From Killing Your Compliance Efforts
Question: Law enforcement officers recently contacted us about a patient who was treated ... Read more
Reader Questions:
FTP Won't TKO Your Security Rule Compliance
Question: Our staffers want to use file transfer protocol (FTP) to send patients' confide... 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
Security Tool:
Review Your Security Compliance With This Risk Assessment Checklist
Handy form helps you estimate your practice's vulnerabilities. You know it's time for a s... Read more
Medicare:
Don't Let These NPI Traps Kill Your Cash Flow
No news might turn into really bad news -- soon. Now's the time to sound a loud warning i... 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
Health Information Update:
PSOs Get The Word Out On Patient Safety Data
HHS makes good on vow to provide better access to patient safety data. The Department of ... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
What Do We Do When Our Manager Won't Enforce HIPAA?
Question: What is the duty of a compliance officer whose organization refuses to enforce H... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get Signed Consent For Inmate's PHI
Question: Our hospital recently treated an inmate of the county correctional facility. Ca... Read more
Reader Questions:
Traveling Nurse Should Use Discretion
Question: We have a traveling nurse who works at several hospitals in the same town. Can ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Investigate Audit's Security Breaches
Question: We have begun auditing our computer systems. Through the audit logs, we discove... Read more
Compliance:
Have Your HIPAA Practices Gone Out of Sight, Out of Mind?
The government has convicted HIPAA violators " make sure you're not at risk. HIPAA compli... Read more
NPI Update:
Don't Overlook March Deadline For NPIs
Warning: If you fail to use your NPI by March 1, your Medicare claims won't pay. Provider... Read more
Security Strategies:
5 Security Rule Misconceptions That Could Land You In Hot Water
Let our experts guide you through the security rule's gray areas. Are you sure you're int... 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 e... Read more
Regulations:
What The Regs Say About... Flexibility Of Approach
Here's what the final HIPAA security rule says about the amount of flexibility your facil... Read more
Security Tip:
Defend Patients' PHI With Shredders
Put shredder where it will be utilized most. If an identity thief nabs some of a patient'... 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
Education:
Give Your Brain A Boost With A Quick Audioconference
Log on to audioeducator.com to see which Eli-sponsored audioconferences you need. Brus... 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:
Don't Throw Out Those Training Records
Question: Does the privacy rule mandate that we keep our training documentation, like sig... Read more
Reader Questions:
Guardian Can Deny PHI Access
Question: One of our minor patients wants a copy of her medical records; however, her cus... Read more
Reader Questions:
Is Information On White Boards
Question: Our clinical nursing and therapy staff would like to install white boards in se... Read more
Compliance:
Think a PHI Release Authorization Is Forever? Think Again
Here's how to make sure your authorization hasn't expired. One year ago, your patient sig... Read more
NPI Update:
Verify Your Legacy Numbers To Speed Payment
You may be seeing claims rejections if you're not on top of NPI issues. As of Jan. 1, Medi... Read more
Information Management:
Keep Your Staff Up On The Latest With Online Manuals
Here's how two facilities make policy updates a click away. Electronically accessible man... Read more
You Be The Security Expert:
Does The Privacy Rule Apply To Physician Phone Calls?
Read the question below and decide how you would handle it before you compare it to our ex... 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
Clip & Save:
Easily Track Expiration Dates With A Tickler System
3 tips for continual readiness. With standard HR.1.20, The Joint Commission requires that... Read more
Security Tips:
Create A Failsafe Procedure To Protect Office From Leaks, Viruses
Train staff to recognize and eradicate Internet scams. Staying on top of viruses and hoax... Read more
Continuing Education:
Boost Your Brain With A Quick Audioconference
Go to audioeducator.com to find out more. Brushing up on your business skills doesn&rs... 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
Reader Questions:
Vendor Should Certify Practice's System
Question: What's the best way to verify that our new practice management system is HIPAA ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Assess Employee's Reasons
Question: One of our nurses has been copying and taking home our physicians' daily schedu... Read more
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