HIPAA Implementation

dhnyct

Recently heard a presentation regarding the impact of HIPAA on medical offices. Although the final regs have been adopted and implementation deadlines established, one of our doctors insists nothing is yet final and that we need not expend a lot of effort on business adaptations at this time.

Is it possible/probable that HIPAA might be postponed, as did ergonomics???

If not, I'll need some heavy ammunition to counter our doctor's information source.

mbrumm

HIPAA will not go away as the ergonomics did. There are only a few regulations not finalized of HIPAA, everything else is set to go. I would suggest that you at least start your HIPAA compliance by 1) elect your privacy officer 2) start a compliance manual that you log your progress in 3) begin looking at privacy notices and consent forms to incorporate into your practice 4) start of list of areas that need improvement (ie: charts on desks that patients can see), and 5) begin a draft for your policy and procedure book for HIPAA compliance and your privacy officer.

A good source to follow is the direct regs from the government at [url]http://www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/hipaa/adminsim/[/url] or also check out [url]http://hipaa.wpc-edi.com/HIPAA_40.asp[/url]

Hope this helps. Mich

HRGUYVT

IT IS FULL STEAM AHEAD. HERE IN VT. ATTORNEY'S ARE ALREADY TOUTING IT AS A FUTURE GOLD MINE FOR THEMS IN TERMS OF MEDICAL CONFIDENTIALITY BREECHES NOT ONLY IN A MEDICAL OFFICE ENVIRONMENT BUT WITH MISHANDLING OF EMPLOYEE'S FMLA, ADA AND WORKER'S COMP INFORMATION. I'D ADVISE YOU GET AN O.K. TO HAVE YOUR LEGAL GIVE YOUR DOCTOR AN OPINION, THAT SHOULD GET HIM ROLLING.