The original HIPAA Privacy Rule of 2003 included provisions for Covered Entities (health care providers, health insurance issuers, and health care clearinghouses) to share protected health information on behalf of…
Hospital Price Transparency – Boon or Bust?
Price Transparency – it’s something we expect in almost everything else we consider purchasing, right? So why shouldn’t we expect hospital price transparency as well? That is undoubtedly what members…
Code of Conduct for Healthcare – 18 things to include
Many healthcare organizations of any size have a Code of Conduct. These codes are designed to demonstrate the organization’s dedication to ethical behavior and compliance with the healthcare services organization’s…
When can the OCR Audit You?
If you are wondering just when can the OCR audit your covered entity or business associate organization, you may conclude “any time it darn well wants to”. Well, that’s an…
Denial Management in Healthcare – Be Proactive
Denial management in healthcare – sounds like a topic that Chief Financial Officers and Revenue Cycle Directors are very interested in. However, in today’s environment, where every bit of lost…
Changes in the OIG Self-Disclosure Protocol
Eight years after the last revision, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Health and Human Services Department has updated the OIG Self-disclosure Protocol. The update was issued on…
HIPAA Physical Safeguards: Security Rule Implementation
HIPAA’s Security Rule requires that there be measures, policies, and procedures in place that address a covered entity or business associate’s efforts to secure electronic protected health information (ePHI). It…
Key Performance Indicators for Healthcare
There are a lot of people offering key performance indicators (KPIs) or healthcare metrics for the healthcare industry. If you are a physician or medical group, should you consider developing…
HIPAA Wall of Shame: no hiding from the public facts
The HIPAA Wall of Shame is a highly visible reminder that data breaches involving protected health information are real, and can have serious consequences for all involved. You can learn…
Medical Practice Valuation: What factors matter most?
A medical practice valuation (especially from a consultant!) may seem like a black box: some data goes in and a number comes out. Fortunately, the components and process are a…
Anti-Kickback Law in Healthcare – a comprehensive look
The U.S. Federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) is the governing law that prohibits any person or entity from knowingly and willfully offering, paying, or soliciting any type of remuneration for referrals….
Ransomware and HIPAA: trends and what to do
Ransomware attacks in the healthcare industry have become increasingly common in recent years, threatening patient care, disrupting daily operations, and possibly compromising protected health information (PHI). Under HIPAA rules, organizations…
What is the False Claims Act in Healthcare?
What is the relationship between the healthcare industry and the False Claims Act? Turns out, it is pretty intimate! In this Article … The False Claims Act – some background…
A Proposed HIPAA Rule Change for 2023
A proposed HIPAA Rule change for 2023 was an early Christmas gift from the Health and Human Services Department (HHS)! On December 21, 2022, HHS released a proposed rule covering…
Is Zoom HIPAA Compliant?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information. And the question “Is Zoom…
How to Open a Nursing Home: what you need to know
Contrary to popular notion, there are no “simple” steps to opening a nursing home. However, there are specific, essential elements that you must address. I’ve been a licensed nursing home…
Mastering the OIG Exclusion List
In this Article … What is the OIG Exclusion list? Who is on the OIG Exclusion list? What does it mean if an employee is on the OIG Exclusion List?…
What Methods are Acceptable for Destruction of PHI?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets strict standards for the destruction of protected health information (PHI). PHI is any patient health information that can be used to…
Assisted living occupancy is up – time to jump in?
Assisted living occupancy is beginning to see a rebound in rates for 2022, after experiencing declines in 2020 and 2021. As of the second quarter of 2022, senior living occupancy…
Understanding the Penalties for HIPAA Non-Compliance
HIPAA violation penalties can be severe, and both healthcare providers and business associates need to be aware of the risks that come with violating HIPAA Rules. This article provides the…