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Health Information Compliance Alert

Civil Monetary Penalties:
Get the Scoop on HIPAA Penalty Adjustments
Warning: HHS' penalty numbers went into effect on Nov. 15. If the sting of inflation is h... Read more
Cybersecurity Quiz:
Prep for 2022 With This Tough Test
Make HIT compliance a priority next year. There's no denying that the pandemic has made... Read more
HIPAA & COVID-19 Vaccinations:
Know the Facts on HIPAA, Vaccination Status, and Personal Rights
Help patients and staff understand the nuances of privacy rights and vaccinations. Out o... Read more
Cybersecurity Quiz Answers:
Bolster Your HIT Security With These Facts
Tip: Close the door on hackers with better patch management in 2022. Check your cybersecu... Read more
Reader Question:
Bolster Patient Care With an RPM Program
Question: Our practice sees a lot of patients with chronic diseases, and we are exploring ... Read more
Enforcement News:
Feds Support Nondiscrimination in Healthcare With Waiver Revocation
Quality and equity are the cornerstones of American healthcare, and the Biden Administrat... Read more
Enforcement News:
OCR Settles 5 More Right of Access Cases
During the pandemic, HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforcement has been relatively qui... Read more
Case Study:
Safeguard Patients’ ePHI With Better Access Controls
Tip: Don't skimp on emergency access plans. Virtual work has allowed many covered entitie... Read more
HIPAA:
Bypass HIPAA Blunders With These Tips
Don't move HIPAA to the back burner. You might be wondering if the feds still take basic ... Read more
Toolkit:
Harness CEHRT to Bolster Care Transfers
Tip: Check out ONC's 360X implementation guidance for extra help. A user-friendly EHR can... Read more
Reader Questions:
Understand How State Vaccine Laws and FERPA Interact
Question: With the emergency authorization of the Pfizer- BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for ch... Read more
Reader Questions:
Keep Patients Aware of Medical Device Cyber Risks
Question: With the uptick of cyberattacks during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE... Read more
Right of Access:
Pocket This Q&A Set on HIPAA Right of Access
Pocket This Q&A Set on HIPAA Right of Access Warning: OCR continues focus with 20th ... Read more
COVID-19:
Get the Scoop on Federal Vaccination Mandates
See the latest OCR guidance on HIPAA and COVID vaccinations. In an effort to curtail the ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Review Breach Definition to Identify Access Problems
Question: An employee at our lab accessed records without a legitimate reason. He didn't t... Read more
Reader Questions:
Bolster Telehealth Savvy With These Federal Resources
Question: Our rural practice has really taken advantage of the telehealth expansion to hel... Read more
Industry News:
OCR Gets a New Director
You can expect big changes at the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The Department of Hea... Read more
Industry News:
FTC Warns Entities About Health App Breach Policies
If your organization is utilizing health applications to connect with patients during the ... Read more
Industry News:
ONC Research Suggests More Apps and EHRs Working in Tandem
The numbers are in — more EHRs are connecting to software applications to boost data and... Read more
Case Study:
Follow Through With Security Rule Requirements
Tip: Feds want to see that you've addressed your risks with a compliance plan. If your p... Read more
COVID-19 Vaccinations:
Know These Facts on the Intersection of HIPAA and Vaccinations
Plus: Feds, some states require COVID vaccinations for healthcare workers. With some st... Read more
FDA Gives Pfizer Vaccine Full Approval
This may alleviate COVID vaccination mandate stress. If your organization is swamped with... Read more
Toolkit:
Beef Up Your Cybersecurity Glossary With These 7 Definitions
Feds warn of ransomware attacks on weekends and holidays. Whether your organization suppo... Read more
Reader Questions:
Understand What the FHIR® Standard Means
Question: All the federal policies coming out for health IT reference the FHIR® acronym.... Read more
Industry Notes:
HHS Declares a Public Health Emergency for Hurricane Ida
With the aftermath of Hurricane Ida leaving four states devastated by the storm, the Depar... Read more
Data Security:
Are You Ready for the High Price of a Data Breach?
Caution: Annual report ranks healthcare as hackers' top target. Try as you might to prev... Read more
Telehealth:
Prep for More Telehealth Changes in 2022
Health equity factors into the feds' latest proposals. The COVID-19 public health emergen... Read more
Practice Management:
Harness Office Data to Promote a More Cohesive Work Culture
Don't forget about patient engagement, too. As COVID numbers start to trend upwards with... Read more
Labor Law:
Gear Up for OSHA COVID ETS Inspections
Know the facts on 2 new OSHA directives. If you thought the Biden administration wouldn't... Read more
Reader Questions:
Take the Necessary Precautions With Sign-In Sheets
Question: The physician practice I work for is the only one in our small town. We always u... Read more
Reader Questions:
Consider These HIPAA Security Facts on Electronic Faxes
Question: Our office wants to use electronic faxing for medical records. Do you have any a... Read more
Industry Notes:
HHS Extends the COVID PHE for a 6th Time
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has opted to extend the COVID-19 public ... Read more
Industry Notes:
GAO Asks Public to Submit HITAC Nominations by August 24
If you are interested in policymaking and implementing 21st Century Cures Act provisions o... Read more
Compliance:
Check Out the Mid-Year HIPAA Breach Numbers
Tip: Ensure BAs have a handle on compliance. If you were just starting to get back into a... Read more
Mythbusters:
Shatter 4 Prevalent HIPAA Disclosure Myths
Tip: Get a grip on Right of Access rules. Even if your staff aces HIPAA Privacy Rule com... Read more
Labor Law Compliance:
Bolster COVID ETS Compliance With These 9 Steps
Tip: Your hazard assessment must get specific. The Occupational Safety and Health Admini... Read more
Reader Question:
Psychotherapy Notes Require Extra Privacy Protection
Question: One of our patients is demanding that we release all of his records — includin... Read more
Industry Notes:
2 New Bills Aim to Boost Broadband Usage
See COVID's impact on the legislation. In recent legislation, the U.S. Senate addressed I... Read more
Policy:
Feds Propose Big Changes for Promoting Interoperability Programs
Warning: 2022 IPPS rule suggests ramping up eCQM reporting. If you thought COVID-inspired... Read more
Note These Other IT-Related Proposals
In addition to Promoting Interoperability (PI) Program changes, the Centers for Medicare &... Read more
Promoting Interoperability:
Avoid PI Mix Ups With This Handy Comparison Chart
Understand how they differ and impact quality incentives. If you're confused about the di... Read more
Patient Engagement:
Boost Patient Success With These Scheduling Insights
Tip: Keep HIPAA on the front burner as you set up protocols. Not only can informed and ef... Read more
Toolkit:
Understand These HIPAA Violation Basics
Warning: Some HIPAA violations carry criminal penalties, too. If your organization is di... Read more
Enforcement News:
Don’t Expect Any Let Up on Right of Access Enforcement This Summer
It's clear the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) wasn't kidding when the agency made patie... Read more
Enforcement News:
Lab Gets Hit With HIPAA Violation After Compliance Review
If your HIPAA compliance isn't in line and the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) looks int... Read more
Case Study:
Do You Know Your State’s Laws on Telehealth?
Tip: Stay on top of evolving changes. There's no doubt that the telehealth expansion in r... Read more
Human Resources:
Harness EHRs, Audits to Give New Providers a Leg Up
Organize and then communicate the needs of your other team members. It's common for pract... Read more
Toolkit:
Discover How These Federal Agencies Impact Health IT
Understand the HIT aspects that each group focuses on. One thing is certain in federal h... Read more
Reader Questions:
Take Care With This Sensitive Material and Information
Question: My clinic performs COVID-19 vaccinations. Can we dispose of the vials and syring... Read more
Enforcement News:
Feds Aim to Reverse Title X ‘Gag Rule’
A recent notice of proposed rulemaking hopes to undo the past administration's Title X re... Read more
Enforcement News:
COVID Vaccine Equity Is Front and Center
A consortium of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies are working togethe... Read more
Enforcement News:
Health IT-Related Targets on OIG Priority List
If you were planning on beefing up your compliance efforts, the HHS Office of Inspector Ge... Read more
Reader Questions:
Check State Regs on Confidentiality for Minors
Question: At our family practice, we have patients between the ages of 15 and 17 who have ... Read more
HIPAA:
OCR Extends Comment Period on HIPAA Overhaul
Tip: Add your 2 cents before it's too late. If you're concerned about the feds' rumblings... Read more
Compliance:
Don’t Skimp on HIPAA Right of Access Policies
Tip: Consider using past resolutions as a template for compliance planning. With cases ... Read more
Revenue Booster:
Master Virtual Check-In Coding With This Primer
Tip: Stick to one set of codes for reporting until the PHE ends. No matter the specialt... Read more
Get the Facts on Codes Removed from ‘Category 3’ Telehealth Services List
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published corrections for “techni... Read more
Reader Questions:
Know Privacy Regs on Staff Medical Files
Question: Due to our rural location, there are limited healthcare providers in the area. I... Read more
Enforcement News:
OIG Offers New COVID-19 Tools and Guidance
Plus: Check out new FAQs, analysis, and enforcement activity. In a recent online overhaul... Read more
Reader Questions:
Avoid MBI Issues With Front Desk Basics
Question: Our practice recently had a Medicare claim denied for invalid patient informatio... Read more
Case Study:
Don’t Be Fooled by Vendors’ ‘HIPAA-Compliant’ Labels
Tip: Investigate BAs' HIPAA track records. Many vendors target the healthcare market wit... Read more
Business Associates:
Evaluate Your BAs’ HIPAA IQ Before a Breach Happens
Hint: Understand what OCR means by ‘satisfactory assurances.' For covered entities (CEs... Read more
Practice Management:
See the Latest OSHA Guidelines on COVID-19
Tip: Ensure patients' privacy and rights are protected, too. A recent release offers new ... Read more
Labor Law:
Know the Facts on Mandatory Vaccines Under ADA, Title VII
Critical: Would an unvaccinated person pose a ‘direct threat' under the law? If you're ... Read more
COVID-19 Toolkit:
Check Out Online Tools to Bolster Your Vaccination Rollout
Tip: Check specialty orgs for differentiated professional advice. Whether you're creating... Read more
Enforcement News:
OIG Sets Record Straight on Telehealth Fraud Enforcement
If you've noticed a spike in telehealth fraud talk from the feds, you're not alone. Howeve... Read more
Enforcement News:
Feds Declare PHE for Texas After Winter Mayhem
As with past natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, Centers for Medicare & Medic... Read more
Enforcement News:
Industry Group Advocates for State-Aligned Privacy Regs
With the aim of encouraging more discourse on a national privacy law, Consumer Reports pub... Read more
Enforcement News:
Submit 2020 Medicare PI Data ASAP
If you haven't submitted your Promoting Interoperability (PI) Program data for 2020 yet, t... Read more
Reader Question:
Prepare Now for Cures Act Compliance Requirements
Question: We haven't seen any new updates on the 21st Century Cures Act compliance deadlin... Read more
Compliance:
Expect More Telehealth Claims Scrutiny in 2021
Tip: Keep concise documentation in case of an audit. Over the past year, organizations ha... Read more
Telehealth Coding:
Master Telehealth Coding With 10 Top Facts
See expert advice from Part B MAC reps. If you're stumped on how to report prolonged ser... Read more
Toolkit:
Don’t Delay on Reporting HIPAA Breaches
Tip: Make timely breach reporting a practice priority. With all that's going on in health... Read more
Enforcement News:
See OCR’s Latest Notification of Enforcement Discretion
Tip: Understand what ‘good faith' use of WBSAs means. If you're scheduling your patient... Read more
Case Study:
Will HIPAA Right of Access Cases Trend Up in 2021?
Expect some change under a new administration. From cybersecurity woes to policy turnarou... Read more
New Notice Aims to Modify Right of Access
See proposed response-time updates. Last month, the Department of Health and Human Servic... Read more
Telehealth:
Telehealth Remains Front and Center in CY 2021 Policies
See COVID-19's impact on the changes. Last year was fraught with a myriad of healthcare p... Read more
Feds Pump Funds Into FCC Telehealth Program
As part of its recent stimulus efforts, the government decided to promote telehealth with ... Read more
Toolkit:
Institute Doable Remote Work Protocols
Tip: Don't skimp on security at home. Patient privacy has always been at the top of your ... Read more
Contingency Planning:
Quiz Yourself on Disaster Protocol Basics
Tip: Ensure your staff know what to do, too. Last year was one for the record books. No... Read more
Enforcement News:
New OCR Report Details Enforcement Activity and Reasoning
Risk analysis remains a thorn in CEs' sides. A review of HIPAA audits suggests that cover... Read more
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