How long will it take to get HIPAA compliant?

by | May 29, 2013 | HIPAA

I get asked this question almost every day.  So, I decided to devise a scoring system to help you estimate how long it will take to get compliant.  Answer these questions and tally up your score.  Keep in mind you can never consider yourself 100% compliant.  The only...

Encryption is the Key to HIPAA’s Security Rule Heart

by | May 21, 2013 | HIPAA

So you’ve heard the presentations, classes and consultants tell you that you should encrypt everything.  Encryption is also a security rule standard that is listed as addressable, not required.  Let’s talk about what all that means. You must address encryption as part...

HIPAA Documentation AKA Telling Your Compliance Story

by | May 14, 2013 | HIPAA

The way you tell any story is with pictures and words.  Documentation is a required element of HIPAA regulations that allows you to tell your compliance story.  I mentioned how important documentation is in the Plan of Attack for HIPAA 2.0 article.  What should your...

Why should you worry about patient’s privacy?

by | May 1, 2013 | HIPAA

In a recent conversation at a MGMA conference an administrator said he hadn’t decided about HIPAA yet.  “He might just risk it. ” While I wasn’t seriously shocked by the comment, I felt serious concern for their patients. Sure, everyone has to decide what they are...