Amid all the recent attention given to the long-awaited modifications to HIPAA under the HITECH Act published earlier this year, it may be easy for Medicare providers to overlook the fact that 2013 is an important year for three Medicare payment … [Continue reading]
The HITECH Act Final Rule’s GINA-Related Modifications to HIPAA
April 12, 2013 By
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) prohibits health insurers and health plans from discriminating against beneficiaries on the basis of genetic information. The HITECH Act Final Rule makes some important GINA-related … [Continue reading]
Proposal Would Extend EHR Donation Rules
April 10, 2013 By
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released proposed rules to amend the electronic health record (EHR) donation exception and safe harbor under the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute. The exception and safe harbor permit … [Continue reading]
The HITECH Act Final Rule’s Requirements for Using Health Information for Fundraising Purposes
April 4, 2013 By
With the HITECH Act Final Rule’s required revisions to business associate agreements, notices of privacy practices, and breach notification policies, it is easy to miss the Final Rule’s changes to the requirements for the use or disclosure of … [Continue reading]
OIG ISSUES SPECIAL FRAUD ALERT ON PHYSICIAN-OWNED DISTRIBUTORSHIPS
March 26, 2013 By
On March 26, 2013, the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) issued a Special Fraud Alert regarding physician-owned entities or distributorships (referred to as “PODs”) that generate revenue from the use of implantable medical devices ordered by their … [Continue reading]
HIPAA Final Rules Eliminates Covered Entities’ Discretion to Comply with Individuals’ Requests for Restriction of PHI Disclosure in Certain Cases
March 21, 2013 By
This article marks our first in a series of articles pertaining to the new HIPAA Final Rules implementing the HITECH Act. Before the Final Rule, covered entities were required under HIPAA to permit individuals to request that covered entities … [Continue reading]
OMW Hosting Webinar on HIPAA Changes
March 13, 2013 By
2013 - HIPAA Readiness Program Join us for a Webinar on March 21 Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now … [Continue reading]
EHR Incentive Program Timeline Tool
March 4, 2013 By
CMS has recently launched a new tool which enables eligible professionals to determine which year they should meet each stage of meaningful use and the amount of incentive dollars available for the eligible professional. This tool is useful in light … [Continue reading]
Deadline to Report HIPAA Breach to HHS is Friday, March 1st
February 25, 2013 By
As part of the HITECH revisions to HIPAA, providers are required to report all HIPAA breaches, regardless of the number of individuals affected to HHS on an annual basis. The deadline for this report is Friday, March 1st. This reporting requirement … [Continue reading]
New Court of Appeals Decision Provides Guidance on Medicaid Spenddown Requirements
January 30, 2013 By
The recent appellate decision in Multicare v. State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) sheds light on how hospitals should use a patient’s “spenddown” in the billing process for the Medicaid Medically Needy (MN) … [Continue reading]
