Coming Soon: HIPAA On-Site Audits

As promised by the Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”), more on-site HIPAA audits are occurring this year.

We can help your practice stay on top of the latest healthcare news, rules, regulations and trends.  Subscribe to stay current and up to date on important matters that will impact your practice.  (To subscribe to our blog click here).

In December of 2016, the OCR stated that it would increase on-site HIPAA audits, and it has followed through on this promise.

Ransomware and hacking has not slowed down over the years. The OCR is attempting to force healthcare providers to comply with HIPAA to improve their protections of patient information.

Many healthcare organizations lack risk assessments, inventories, and basic security protections.

In the past month, the OCR has doled out hefty fines for offenses such as failure to have a business associate agreement in place, disclosure of protected health information, and lack of security management process.

It is clear that rigid enforcement of HIPAA will continue moving forward.

We help our clients prepare for a potential audit by updating their policies and procedures, performing an internal audit, making sure their HIPAA risk assessment is up to date, and training employees on breach readiness.

If you want to avoid hefty fines at your healthcare organization, make sure that you take appropriate measures to protect your practice now.

Start by:

  • Reviewing your business associate agreements. Make sure they are current and that you have updated agreements with all vendors and subcontractors.
  • Updating your inventory of devices with all devices used by any staff member to access PHI.
  • Making sure your policies and procedures are current and followed by all office staff.
  • Training your employees regularly on HIPAA, on your office’s policies and procedures, and on breach readiness.

Don’t delay in taking measures to protect your practices from audits and from breaches.

In our next blog post, we will keep you informed of related issues.  To get this important information delivered directly to your mail box, click here to Subscribe.

Do you need help staying current and compliant with the latest laws, rules and regulations?  We can help. To contact us about your new government rules and regulations, your practice’s risk assessment, or about your other legal needs:  CLICK HERE.

P.S. If you or your patients are interested in consumer healthcare issues, check out myhealthspin.com.

Related Posts

Categories

Recent Posts

What is a Power of Attorney?
March 16, 2023
Can Your EHR Template Land You in Prison?
March 14, 2023
What Happens When You Don’t Fund Your Trust?
March 9, 2023
What is the Cost of a Data Breach?
March 7, 2023
3 Things You Should Know About Irrevocable Trusts
March 2, 2023

Subscribe

Enter your email to subscribe now and receive your FREE HIPAA Risk Assessment book!

An essential tool for all healthcare providers, Easy Guide to HIPAA Risk Assessments breaks down the requirements of HIPAA so you can successfully complete your required risk assessment.

 

Get it now for FREE (an $8.99 value!)

One more step! Please check your email to confirm your subscription and receive your FREE book!