Author: Weintraub, Abner E.

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: May 2003

With the April 14 HIPAA privacy deadline behind us, many covered entities are still struggling to become compliant. Limited budgets and staff, conflicting advice, and unforeseen delays have all conspired to keep many covered entities from meeting the deadline.


What do you tell....

Author: Shanley, Suzanne

Source: In Confidence (newsletter)

Publication Date: May 02, 2003

Under the security rule, covered entities must ensure that some process is put in place to record and review system access and activity. Audit controls are required to record any alterations to confidential patient information, including changes to content and the addition or deletion of info....

Author: Dunn, Rose T

Source: External - used with permission

Publication Date: May 02, 2003

Reprinted with permission from Rose T. Dunn, CPA, RHIA, FACHE, First Class Solutions, Inc., 2003.

Author: AHIMA Professional Practice Team

Source: AHIMA Q and A

Publication Date: June 02, 2003

Q: Under the privacy rule, how should a physician’s office handle a request from parents for a written statement recommending limitation of their child’s activities at school?

A: Most covered entities have policies requiring written requests or authorizations for disclosure of....

Author: Jacobs, Jodi

Source: In Confidence (newsletter)

Publication Date: June 02, 2003

Oral privacy is not a new need or requirement in healthcare. However, because it is now backed by a federal mandate, it is receiving newfound attention. With the passing of the April 14, 2003, deadline for HIPAA compliance, hospitals, pharmacies, clearinghouses, physician’s offices, military....

Author: Ruano, Michael

Source: In Confidence (newsletter)

Publication Date: June 02, 2003

Part four in a 10-part series.
This article is the fourth of a 10-part series that introduces the domains of information security and relates them to federal HIPAA regulations. The information security domain of cryptography is probably the most complex and mathematical of all the domai....

Author: Quinsey, Carol Ann

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: June 2003

Obtaining “satisfactory assurance” in the privacy rule may sound like something new, but the concept has been around for a long time. Do you know what it means and how it affects your HIM department? This article will explain what obtaining satisfactory assurance means and how it can....

Author: Apple, Gordon J.

Source: In Confidence (newsletter)

Publication Date: June 02, 2003

Former President Ronald Reagan coined a phrase during the Cold War, “trust, but verify,” regarding treaties with the former Soviet Union. Today, as we ponder the enforcement environment likely to emerge over HIPAA, a more apt phrase may be “trust, don’t do much, and react to public pressure.”....

Author: AHIMA Professional Practice Team

Source: AHIMA Q and A

Publication Date: June 02, 2003

Q: What are a covered entity’s legal responsibilities when a former employee breaches confidentiality of information gained during his or her employment period?

A: Individual state laws would affect the outcome of litigation if charges were pressed through civil action. If the organ....

Author: Burrington-Brown, Jill

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: June 2003

Has your organization addressed sanctions related to privacy and security issues? Both the final privacy rule and final security rule address this issue. The privacy rule states that the covered entity must “have and apply appropriate sanctions against members of its workforce who fail to....