The saying goes that you’re never fully dressed without a smile, but the reality for many people today is that you’re never fully dressed until you put on your smartwatch. Or your phone in your pocket. Or your health and fitness monitor at the gym. These component pieces are now standard in our attire and...
Coming in second can sometimes be a good thing. But not when you’re on the receiving end of a HIPAA fine and have to pay out $6.9 million like Premera Blue Cross. The insurer is the largest health plan in the Pacific Northwest, serving more than 2 million people. This fine is the second-largest payment...
In 2019, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an initiative that they would make it a priority to enforce an individual’s right to access their health records in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. This falls under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. While...
At times, it feels as if we could start every week with this sentence: “There’s a new tactic being used by cybercriminals to trick unsuspecting victims.” And the sophistication level of the new tactics is off the charts. So, what are we dealing with as of late? Well, where should we start… Hidden text is...
You walk into your healthcare provider’s office and are usually handed a clipboard with papers that need to be filled out, updated, and wrapped up with your signature. We mindlessly take our task to the nearest seat and complete, sign, initial, and update whatever we’ve been given. This information goes into our file and continues...
Three universities recently conducted a joint study of participants that aimed to explore their likelihood of being monetarily incentivized to violate HIPAA regulations. The pilot study involved medical residents or individuals in an executive MBA program, with some of those participants already in health care executive roles. Of the 64 medical students and 32 executive...
How many unexpected and unforeseen circumstances can 2020 present us with? Each month we think that we’ve likely seen it all, considered it all, and readied ourselves for whatever comes our way. This year has provided us with plenty to panic over, and many things that we never thought we’d face. Take for example the...
It’s always nice to get a postcard from friends or family who are away on vacation. But this week we learned of a new kind of postcard being sent out with not-so-well wishes. The Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) sent out a warning that fraudulent postcards are being...
Was it made of gold? Encrusted in diamonds? No. Read on to learn how one laptop ended up being worth a massive one million dollars. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently closed an investigation into Lifespan Health System Affiliated Covered Entity for a stolen laptop incident reported back in 2017. That...
COVID-19 has ushered in the mass acceptance of telehealth, with so much optimism and excitement around the technology. But like many new technologies, the initial use is rushed and not well thought out with many providers trying to figure out the right technology, best practices, and optimal patient experience. We have seen temporary waivers to...
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