After two years, OCR recently released its Guidance Regarding Methods for De-Identification of PHI in Accordance with HIPAA. The guidance is designed to help covered entities understand de-identification, how protected health information is … [Continue reading]
CMS Posts Meaningful Use Stage 2 Specification Sheets
November 19, 2012 By
Looking for more detail on the Meaningful Use Stage 2 requirements? CMS has conveniently created specification sheets for each Meaningful Use measure. These sheets explain in detail each numerator and denominator eligible professionals and … [Continue reading]
eRx Hardship Exemption Requests Extension
November 13, 2012 By
On November 1st CMS extended the time period for eligible professionals to request a hardship exemption under the e-Prescribing Incentive Program. Those eligible professionals that have made at least 10 electronic prescriptions (eRx) between January … [Continue reading]
OIG Opines Favorably on Hospital Emergency Department Call Coverage Arrangement
October 31, 2012 By
On October 23, 2012, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) issued a favorable response to a hospital’s request regarding its payment of per diem fees to various physician specialties in exchange for emergency department call coverage and related … [Continue reading]
Supervision Levels for Certain Hospital Outpatient Therapeutic Services
October 19, 2012 By
On September 24, 2012, CMS published its preliminary decisions regarding recommendations of the Hospital Outpatient Payment Panel (“Panel”) on supervision levels for certain hospital outpatient therapeutic services. CMS’s review of the Panel’s … [Continue reading]
Verizon Cloud Services Agrees to Sign BAA
October 17, 2012 By
Earlier this month Verizon announced its cloud services aimed at healthcare providers. These services are designed to be HIPAA compliant including providing the necessary physical, technical and administrative safeguards required by the HIPAA … [Continue reading]
State Insurance Exchanges & Employer Tax Penalties
October 9, 2012 By
IRS Provides Safe-Harbor Guidance to employers under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (“PPACA”). Background: Under PPACA, beginning January 1, 2014, each state has been tasked … [Continue reading]
OIG Releases 2013 Work Plan – Important Topics for Both Hospitals and Physicians
October 3, 2012 By
Fall must be here because the FY 2013 OIG Work Plan is out. Providers of all shapes and sizes should at least browse the table of contents to see whether any of the OIG’s topics for FY 2013 touch important aspects of their businesses and … [Continue reading]
HIPAA Violations – Visually Speaking
September 28, 2012 By
So how much can a HIPAA violation cost? Below is a roll-up of some of the larger HIPAA penalties and further information about current enforcement. Infographic authored by Inspired eLearning, providers of online security awareness and … [Continue reading]
Comparison of Stage 1 vs Stage 2 Meaningful Use
September 7, 2012 By
Sifting through the hundreds of pages of new rules can be overwhelming. Luckily, CMS has provided comparison charts to help navigate the meaningful use changes coming our way with Stage 2. Along with the new rules, CMS clarified that the earliest … [Continue reading]
