Outsourcing Compliance, especially in a small hospital setting, maybe the best way to be in compliance with required regulations and apply limited resources. Why do many healthcare organizations still not…
EHR Replacement and Selection – 4 must answer questions
EHR replacement is one of the most important decisions you make in a medical practice. There is a reason you are considering a switch to a new electronic health records…
HIPAA Policy Requirements
Have you ever heard the saying “the job is not complete until the paperwork is done?” Covered Entities and Business Associates should be cognizant of the importance of finalizing and…
Medical Office Floor Plans – 11 essential questions
After having been part of starting a medical practice a number of times, I’ve learned a thing or two about what goes into it. Here I’ll cover critical items in…
What is MACRA?
The roll out of MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Re-authorization Act) is expected to proceed, regardless of changes in the Affordable Care Act. MACRA is part of a broader push…
ACO Compliance – Unique and Different!
ACO Compliance include requirements specific to the nature and operations of an ACO. It is somewhat different than a “traditional” healthcare provider, be it a Covered Entity or a Business…
Corporate Integrity Agreement – time to select or replace your IRO
Is your IRO interfering with your obligations under your Corporate Integrity Agreement? One of the important choices healthcare organizations that are subject to a Corporate Integrity Agreement must make is…
HIPAA Breach Disclosure Requirements
In my previous blog HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, I discussed the definition of a HIPAA Breach, and some of the requirements for HIPAA Breach Notifications. Today we will look at…
HIPAA Breach Notification Rule
HIPAA Breach Notification Rules under the HITECH and GINA Act issued modifications to HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Enforcement. This is commonly known as the Omnibus Rule. The Omnibus Rule mandates…
OIG 2017 Work Plan – Physician Practice Impacts
Totaling over 100 pages this year, you can download the OIG 2017 Work Plan here on our website. It was issued on November 15, 2016. This is the second year in a row…
2017 OIG Work Plan – Information Technology (EHR)
The 2017 OIG Work Plan is again addressing information technology, with special emphasis on certified electronic health records systems (EHR). On November 15, 2016, the Office of Inspector General (OIG)…
OIG Work Plan 2017 – What’s New for Hospitals?
The OIG Work Plan 2017 describes audits and evaluations that are underway or planned and certain legal and investigative initiatives that are continuing. This overview of the 2017 OIG Work…
OIG Work Plan 2017 – An Introduction
On November 15, 2016, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) released the OIG Work Plan 2017. Totaling over 100 pages this year, you can download the OIG 2017 Work Plan here on our…
Skilled Nursing Facility (“SNF”) Compliance Program
An SNF Compliance Program is an essential part of any Skilled Nursing Facility operation! In my earlier Nursing Home Compliance Program blog post, I posed some questions to our Director…
Nursing Home Compliance Program – The Who, What, When, Why and How
A Skilled Nursing Facility Compliance Program – the term elicits a myriad of reactions from providers, ranging from indifference to anxiety. Regardless of your feelings, the requirement for a SNF…
Assisted Living Feasibility Study – Part Three
You’re thinking of doing an assisted living feasibility study – it means that you’re preparing to undertake a major project with significant consequences. On the one hand, congratulations and on…
Does your Hospital have a Pokemon Policy?
Many hospitals are dealing with the latest mobile device game craze, Pokemon Go, but not everyone is asking staff and visitors to refrain from playing on the hospital campus. Pokemon No…
Assisted Living Market Study – Part Two
Assisted Living Market Study questions often asked . . . for today’s post, I’d like to cover a couple of questions which were not addressed in my prior blog: What…
Ransomware and HIPAA
Ransomware and HIPAA: the Federal Government has recently issued two resource documents: the first discusses protecting your network from ransomware, the second, a Ransomware and HIPAA fact sheet. Both are…
New Overtime Rule – Impact on Costs for Healthcare Providers
The new overtime rule is effective December 1, 2016. The Department of Labor is instituting new overtime rules that are likely to have a substantial effect on health care providers…