Health Information Compliance Alert
FCC Moves to Increase Telehealth Options for Rural America
PDF
Despite studies that suggest telehealth is underutilized in the United States, the feds see innovations in this health tech arena as a way to help rural America's physician shortage. Late last year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed increasing its current $400 million budget for telehealth for providers in the Rural Health Care (RHC) Program. Why: "For Americans living in rural and isolated areas, doctor shortages and hospital closures are endemic, and obtaining access to high-quality healthcare remains a constant challenge," stated a FCC memo from last December. "Broadband connectivity has the potential to address such barriers to care by delivering telehealth services and access to cutting-edge healthcare treatments." The FCC's proposal also includes reforming its current system, a simplified process for joining, better oversight, and a definition of its "cost-effectiveness," the release suggested. The FCC is currently taking stakeholder feedback on its proposed rule. Resource: For a look at the FCC release, visit https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-348255A1.pdf.
Health Information Compliance Alert
- Case Study:
5 Breaches Net $3.5 Million in Fines for Large Health Organization
Risk management must be pervasive or violations will ensue, OCR advises. The old saying "the [...] - Compliance:
Consider this Violation Primer to Combat HIPAA Breaches
Tip: Encrypt your data - it's just that simple. Fresenius Medical Care North America's (FMCNA) [...] - Telehealth:
2018 MPFS Final Rule Solidifies New Telehealth Options
Bipartisan efforts are in the works to utilize telehealth for opioid crisis. Telemedicine allows providers [...] - Toolkit:
Design Your Own HIPAA Breach Notification Letter with this Template
Tip: No matter the breach size, you must let patients know. If a HIPAA breach [...] - Enforcement News:
Do You Have Ideas to Improve EHR Interoperability? CMS Wants to Know
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) put out a call to clinicians, researchers, and [...] - Enforcement News:
FCC Moves to Increase Telehealth Options for Rural America
Despite studies that suggest telehealth is underutilized in the United States, the feds see innovations [...] - Enforcement News:
HHS Unveils New Religious Freedom Division
Last month, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) added a new department to its [...]