HIPAA Book Update
As many of you may know, I am redoing my book on the HIPAA Privacy Rule with Lippincott. In that process, we are expanding it, to include all of healthcare documentation and to include the security rule and the HITECH Act. It’s a big project and it won’t be done for awhile. Still, it will be a good tool for our industry when it’s done.
My upcoming chapter is the one that has frequently asked questions in it. So, here’s your chance to help write the book. What questions would you ask about HIPAA, Privacy, Security, and HITECH? I’ve seen many authors doing this lately, giving the readers the opportunity to participate, and hope you will do the same. This is your opportunity to be sure that your burning questions get included in the book.
Please post your questions here as a comment, and I’ll see how many of them we can get included! I’m on a deadline so will need to have your questions submitted before March 18. I look forward to seeing the things you are wondering about!
Related posts:
- HIPAA and the HITECH Act: Are you Ready?
- Proposed HIPAA Changes Impact Independent Contractors
- HIPAA and HITECH: What’s a Medical Transcriptionist to do?
- Credential Study Course Update
- AHDI Meeting Update
Tagged with: HIPAA • HIPAA privacy rule • HIPAA Security rule • HITECH Act
Filed under: Professional Development
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I would like to know what specific things I should have or am required by law to have with regard to my home office (furnishings such as locking file cabinets, locking doors, etc.) to be compliant with the laws in case someone comes knocking at my door to do an audit/inspection. Are things such as locking file cabinets necessary if I keep no patient information in my office? Also, if I am the only person in my office (even in the house) at the time I am working, which of these things might I NOT be required to have (i.e., locking door on my office)?
Sherry Evans
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Kathy Reply:
March 12th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Sherry, great question and one I’ll work on adding as well. I will also be doing some posts on the HIPAA4MT site about things like this so be sure you watch for that as well! Thank you for taking the time to post here. You guys make all the difference in this site with your participation!
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I am so honored that you would include “friends” questions in your book. The main that is concerning me is, if I am understanding what I have read and studied thus far, the possibility of being fined or having to participate in a court session because some other party invaded the privacy I try to provide in my office at home. Can you clarify what actions need to be taken on the transcriptionist’s part to make doubly sure we are protecting the patient as humanly possible from their records being viewed by unnecessary parties who are not part of the patient’s care. I know the doctor protects the patient and we protect the doctors, but what can we do to insure that the patient is protected in all matters.
Thank you for allowing me to voice here my concerns and I am so glad to know who is behind this information. Thanks for all of your hard work, it is very much appreciated!
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Kathy Reply:
March 12th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Angie, thank you so much for adding this and your participation! It’s a great topic and one I will be sure to have. It is also one I plan to cover on the HIPAA4MT website. Thanks so much! What makes a difference to me in doing all of this is being able to provide meaningful information for folks. YOU help make that happen!
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How does the HITECH Act affect persons/companies in the Caribbean, if at all? As well as what other security measures do we in the Caribbean need to take when looking to have persons work from home? Is there a particular security software to be used on at-home systems or systems in the whole? How regular should an employer run audits on their at-home employees’ systems to ensure compliance?
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Kathy Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Kim, great questions and thanks for adding to that! It definitely DOES impact MTs and companies, no matter where they are and companies should have already been doing some extra things as well as doing training on the changes. In addition, each company is required to do audits and have written policies and procedures in place. It’s a lot for a business, but the law requires it. I will be sure to add this to my list of questions for the book!
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Kathy Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
For all of you as well, be sure you have checked out the HIPAA4MT website and you will find more immediate information there. The topic of where you should be by now is addressed in today’s post.
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