HIPAA

A smartphone can be a provider's dream in explaining procedures to patients and family, but also a possible legal and ethical nightmare.

The HITECH Act significantly strengthened aspects of the HIPAA Security Rule. If you are a 'Covered Entity' or 'Business Associate' it's time to get serious!

The feds are cracking down on (even accidental) violations of data security rules. Here's how to avoid serious financial and administrative penalties.

Posting a general disclaimer on your practice's social media platforms protects both you and your patients.

Many physicians believe that they open themselves up to potential liability risks by engaging in social media. In practice, it is always prudent to be concerned with malpractice risk. That said, the key to effectively utilizing social media is twofold.

When patient records are requested, your staff could unintentionally put your practice at risk of a HIPAA violation. Here's how to handle requests properly.

Most of the highly publicized cases of security breaches involving personal health information have been due to lost or stolen laptops and storage devices. But EHRs are full of personal health information that practices must ensure is protected. And, a recent study showed the general public is still very concerned about the security of EHRs, which could be a barrier to adoption.

Straight from the HIPAA regulation, here is an outline to follow as you create your Notice of Privacy Practices.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requires authorization from patients for the release of protected health information for uses other than treatment, payment or health care operations. Here's a sample form for this purpose. Provided by Rachel Glitz, Paul Smith, and Becky Williams of Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP.

Use this form to document internal review of and response to complaints concerning compliance with human resource, HIPAA, Medicare billing or other ethical and legal guidelines.

You may be unwittingly violating your patients’ confidentiality - and trust - on your blog or social media site. Check out these guidelines for staying legal and ethical online.

Download this sample form to use with your medical practice's business associates to ensure private patient data protection and meet HIPAA regulations.

Here are six myths about HIPAA that your medical practice may believe, but are actually false.