HIPAA Journal

JULY 15, 2022

OCR launched a HIPAA investigation after receiving a breach report on January 5, 2018, in response to the hacking of an OSU-CHS web server. Failure to perform a periodic technical and nontechnical evaluation in response to environmental or operational changes affecting the security of ePHI – 45 C.F.R. 164.502(a). 164.308(a)(l)(ii)(A).

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HIPAA Compliance Medicaid Medicaid 123

HIPAA Journal

MAY 16, 2023

The HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has agreed to settle a HIPAA investigation of an Arkansas business associate that impermissibly disclosed the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of more than 230,000 individuals after failing to secure a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) server. MedEvolve, Inc. MedEvolve, Inc.

HIPAA 90

HIPAA Health Insurance Compliance 90

HIT Consultant

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

Secondly, managing and securing the expanded dataset becomes increasingly challenging due to data proliferation and fragmentation. Mishandling or misplacing sensitive data can lead to compliance violations, legal repercussions, and reputational damage.

Compliance 117

Compliance Regulatory Compliance HIPAA Health Insurance 117

Compliancy Group

FEBRUARY 6, 2024

If the first HHS settlement of 2024 is any indication of what’s to come, it’s going to be an expensive year for violators of HIPAA. On February 6, 2024, Montefiore Medical Center reached a settlement with the HHS over potential HIPAA Security Rule violations. million and submit to a corrective action plan.

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HIPAA Compliance 64

Compliancy Group

JANUARY 8, 2024

HIPAA fines are issued for various reasons and are usually the result of a settlement to end an Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigation. In 2023, OCR settled thirteen cases with healthcare organizations for potential HIPAA violations. OCR then brought an enforcement action, which was resolved through settlement.

HIPAA 52

HIPAA Ransomware COVID-19 Doctors 52

Healthcare It News

OCTOBER 3, 2023

Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights rule regarding the use of online tracking tools is at odds with existing HIPAA rules and could cause meaningful harm to patients and public health. "Should requirements of such a duty be based on the sensitivity of collected data?"

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HIPAA Hospitals Nurses Public Health 242

HIPAA Journal

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

Care Health Plan, has settled multiple violations of the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules with the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and will pay a $1,300,000 penalty and adopt a robust corrective action plan. The resolution agreement lists 6 potential HIPAA violations identified by its investigators.

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HIPAA Compliance Medicaid Medicaid 71

HIPAA Journal

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

The HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has published a report it sent to Congress that details its HIPAA enforcement activities in 2021, which provides insights into the state of compliance with the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules.

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HIPAA Compliance 111

HIPAA Journal

OCTOBER 28, 2022

HIPAA training is important beyond “ticking the box” of HIPAA compliance. In this article, we explain how a fully trained and compliant workforce can deliver multiple benefits for organizations subject to HIPAA and provide 5 reasons why HIPAA training is important. Reduce the Risk of HIPAA Violations.

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HIPAA Compliance Medicare Medicare 102

HIPAA Journal

DECEMBER 31, 2022

What happens if a nurse violates HIPAA Compliance Rules ? How are HIPAA violations dealt with and what are the penalties for individuals that accidentally or deliberately violate HIPAA and access, disclose, or share protected health information (PHI) without authorization? .

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HIPAA Nurses Compliance Nursing Homes 98

MedTrainer

JANUARY 12, 2024

Healthcare facilities, from hospitals and clinics to insurance providers, are deeply affected by the regulations set forth by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). How does HIPAA compliance affect healthcare facilities? What is Healthcare Compliance?

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HIPAA Compliance Health Insurance Hospitals 52

MedTrainer

JANUARY 26, 2024

In the realm of healthcare, ensuring the privacy and security of patients’ sensitive medical information is of paramount importance. To safeguard this critical aspect of patient care, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted in 1996. Who enforces HIPAA compliance in healthcare?

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HIPAA Compliance Health Insurance Compliance Officers 52

HIPAA Journal

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has publicly released two reports that were submitted to Congress that provide insights into data breaches, HIPAA enforcement activity, and the state of HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule compliance for calendar year 2021.

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HIPAA Compliance 110

HIPAA Journal

JANUARY 22, 2024

The duration of HIPAA training varies depending on the specific needs and roles of the individuals being trained, but for healthcare staff undergoing annual HIPAA refresher training, it typically takes about 90 minutes to complete. A typical HIPAA training course covers essential topics to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations.

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HIPAA Compliance Officers Compliance Ransomware 61

HIPAA Journal

DECEMBER 31, 2022

All HIPAA covered entities must familiarize themselves with the HIPAA breach notification requirements and develop a breach response plan that can be implemented as soon as a breach of unsecured protected health information (PHI) is discovered. Summary of the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule.

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HIPAA Compliance Ransomware 121

HIPAA Journal

JULY 19, 2023

The main objective of HIPAA law is to protect the privacy of an individuals’ health information while at the same time permitting needed information to be disclosed for patient care and other purposes such as billing. You can use our HIPAA Law Compliance Checklist to check your compliance requirements and avoid HIPAA violations.

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HIPAA Compliance 92

HIPAA Journal

DECEMBER 31, 2022

HIPAA requires covered entities to provide training to staff to ensure HIPAA Rules and regulations are understood. During HIPAA training, healthcare employees should be aware of the possible penalties for HIPAA violations, but what are those penalties, and what happens if you break HIPAA Rules?

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HIPAA Due Diligence Doctors Compliance Officers 116

Total HIPAA

MARCH 7, 2023

Health insurance agents became covered under HIPAA with the HITECH Act of 2009. Besides the moral and ethical obligation to protect American PHI, here are three reasons in favor of having a strong HIPAA compliance plan- beyond just annual training. Competitive Advantage : HIPAA compliance can be a differentiator for insurance agents.

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HIPAA US Department of Health and Human Services Compliance Health Insurance 98

Total Medical ComplianceHIPAA

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Vishing scams pose a significant threat to the security and privacy of personal health information (PHI), making it crucial for healthcare organizations to understand and mitigate these risks. This article explores the concept of vishing scams, their implications for HIPAA compliance, and provides recommendations for safeguarding PHI.

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HIPAA Compliance 95

HIPAA Journal

MARCH 18, 2022

Country Medical Services had run the hospital for 9 years; however, an investigation by the state Department of Health identified almost 3 dozen potential violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, as the hospital was unable to provide emergency services. I am holding the hospital and its owners accountable.”.

Licensing 115

Licensing HIPAA Hospitals Health Insurance 115

American Medical Compliance

MARCH 11, 2024

These include but are not limited to the following: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) HIPAA has strict guidelines regarding the privacy and security of patients’ protected health information (PHI).

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Regulatory Compliance Compliance ADA Informed Consent 105

HIPAA Journal

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

The HHS’ Office for Civil Rights has announced its second financial penalty of 2023 to resolve alleged violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Banner Health has agreed to pay a financial penalty of $1,250,000 and adopt a corrective action plan to resolve the alleged HIPAA Security Rule violations.

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HIPAA Health Insurance Compliance Hospitals 85

HIT Consultant

JUNE 20, 2023

Ben Herzberg, Chief Scientist of Satori The latest report from the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) reveals a concerning trend: HIPAA violations and data breaches are drastically increasing. HIPAA Compliance Complexity Complying with HIPAA regulations adds a layer of complexity to healthcare data security.

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HIPAA Compliance Medical Billing 79

Compliancy Group

JULY 15, 2022

A 2016 hacking incident that hit Oklahoma State University’s Center for Health Sciences has led to an $875,000 HIPAA breach fine settlement to address potential violations. Background of Oklahoma State University HIPAA Breach. The university announced the HIPAA breach on January 5, 2018. HHS Press Release.

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HIPAA Medicaid Medicaid Compliance 97

HIPAA Journal

MAY 29, 2023

It has been 27 years since President Clinton signed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) into law, but compliance is still proving a challenge for many HIPAA-regulated entities. The average HIPAA penalty has fallen from $2.6 reduction in total penalties compared to 2018, falling from $28.7

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HIPAA Compliance Due Diligence COVID-19 96

HIPAA Journal

APRIL 7, 2022

The HITECH Act, as amended in 2021 by the HIPAA Safe Harbor Act, requires the HHS consider the security practices that have been implemented by HIPAA-regulated entities when considering financial penalties and other remedies to resolve potential HIPAA violations discovered during investigations and audits.

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HIPAA Compliance 102

Compliancy Group

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

The Ransomware Attack and OCR Investigation In February 2019, Green Ridge Behavioral Health submitted a breach report to OCR, informing the HIPAA enforcers that it had suffered an attack on its network server, compromising the protected health information (PHI) of more than 14,000 patients. Become compliant today!

Ransomware 52

Ransomware HIPAA Compliance 52

Compliancy Group

MARCH 28, 2022

Following a winter of hibernation, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulators roared to life with the announcement of three settlements and one fine totaling more than $172,000 for violations of HIPAA’s Patient Right of Access and Privacy Rules. OCR imposed a $50,000 HIPAA fine. Phillip Igbinadolor, D.M.D. &

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HIPAA Compliance 98

HIPAA Journal

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Achieving compliance with the Rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) can be a challenge for healthcare organizations and their business associates. The HIPAA Rules were developed to cover healthcare organizations of different types and sizes, so the Rules needed to be flexible to accommodate this diversity.

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HIPAA Compliance Compliance Officers Health Insurance 104

HIPAA Journal

MARCH 8, 2022

Many sources explaining why HIPAA compliance is important for healthcare professionals tend to focus on the purpose of HIPAA regulations rather than the benefits of compliance for healthcare professionals. This article discusses why HIPAA compliance is important for healthcare professionals from a healthcare professional´s perspective.

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HIPAA Compliance Health Outcomes 122

Compliancy Group

JANUARY 24, 2024

And, with electronic health records (EHRs) becoming the norm, ensuring the security and privacy of sensitive data is of utmost importance. One crucial aspect of this protection is the HIPAA breach risk assessment tool and how it aids healthcare organizations in identifying potential vulnerabilities.

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HIPAA Compliance Health Insurance Hospitals 52

American Medical Compliance

DECEMBER 21, 2023

However, data breaches, privacy violations, and subpar care can harm the very individuals healthcare is meant to serve. Encrypted email, secure messaging platforms, and virtual private networks (VPNs) can help protect data during transit. These include potential data interception, unauthorized access, and man-in-the-middle attacks.

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Compliance HIPAA Telemedicine Health Insurance 97

MedTrainer

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires a deep understanding of not only the law itself but also the HIPAA incident response requirements mandated by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights (OCR). What is a HIPAA Incident?

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HIPAA Compliance Health Insurance Compliance Officers 52

Total Medical Compliance Resources

OCTOBER 10, 2023

HIPAA: Why is a Password Policy Important? One of the critical aspects of achieving HIPAA compliance is enforcing a mandatory password policy. Weak passwords or lax security measures create opportunities for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities and enter sensitive systems.

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HIPAA Compliance Fraud 52

Compliancy Group

SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

This agreement stems from two OCR investigations triggered by a significant breach report and an eye-opening media article highlighting a distinct security incident. Director Melanie Fontes Rainer from OCR urges all healthcare entities to be proactive in ensuring compliance with HIPAA Rules rather than waiting for enforcement action.

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HIPAA Compliance Medicaid Medicaid 52

HIPAA Journal

DECEMBER 31, 2022

HIPAA was enacted several years before social media networks such as Facebook and Instagram existed, so there are no specific HIPAA compliance rules for social media. There are many benefits to be gained from using social media if your organization is a HIPAA Covered Entity or Business Associate.

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HIPAA Compliance Health Insurance Nurses 108

Total HIPAA

MAY 23, 2022

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( HIPAA ) is a 1996 federal law that regulates privacy standards in the healthcare sector. Since 1996, Congress has passed additional laws to adapt HIPAA in accordance with new technological advancements. Most HIPAA rules and regulations revolve around protecting PHI.

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HIPAA Due Diligence Compliance Health Insurance 98