HIPAA is very complex. So are the privacy and security initiatives that must occur to reach and maintain HIPAA compliance. Organizations need a quick, concise reference in order to meet HIPAA requirements and maintain ongoing compliance. The Practical Guide to HIPAA Privacy and Security Compliance is a one-stop resource for real-world HIPAA
Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.
In the realm of health care, privacy protections are needed to preserve patients' dignity and prevent possible harms. Ten years ago, to address these concerns as well as set guidelines for ethical health research, Congress called for a set of federal standards now known as the HIPAA Privacy Rule. In its 2009 report, Beyond the HIPAA Privacy Rule: Enhancing Privacy, Improving Health Through Research, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Health Research and the Privacy of Health Information concludes that the HIPAA Privacy Rule does not protect privacy as well as it should, and that it impedes important health research.
This vital resource offers mental and behavioral health providers clear, demystified guidance on HIPAA and HITECH regulations pertinent to practice. Many mental health providers erroneously believe that if they uphold their ethical and legal obligation to client confidentiality, they are HIPAA compliant. Others may believe that because their electronic health record provider promises HIPAA compliance, that their practice or organization is HIPAA compliant also not true. The reality is HIPAA has changed how providers conduct business, permanently, and providers need to know how to apply the regulations in daily practice. Providers now have very specific privacy requirements for managing patient information, and in our evolving digital era, HIPAA security regulations also force providers to consider all electronic aspects of their practice. HIPAA Demystified applies to anyone responsible for HIPAA compliance, ranging from sole practitioners, to agencies, to larger mental health organizations, and mental health educators. While this book is written for HIPAA covered entities and business associates, for those who fall outside of the regulations, it is important to know that privacy and security regulations reflect a new standard of care for protection of patient information for all practitioners, regardless of compliance status. Additionally, some HIPAA requirements are now being codified into state laws, including breach notification. This book s concise but comprehensive format describes HIPAA compliance in ways that are understandable and practical. Differences between traditional patient confidentiality and HIPAA privacy and security regulations are explained. Other important regulatory issues covered that are of importance of mental health providers include: Patient rights under HIPAA How HIPAA regulations define psychotherapy notes, with added federal protection Conducting a required security risk assessment and subsequent risk management strategies The interaction with HIPAA regulations and state mental health regulations Details about you may need Business Associate Agreements, and a Covered Entity s responsibility to complete due diligence on their BAs Training and documentation requirements, and the importance of sanction policies for violations of HIPAA Understanding what having a HIPAA breach means, and applicable breach notification requirements Cyber defensive strategies. HIPAA Demystified also addresses common questions mental health providers typically have about application of HIPAA to mobile devices (e.g. cell phones, laptops, flash drives), encryption requirements, social media, and Skype and other video transmissions. The book also demonstrates potential costs of failing to comply with the regulations, including financial loss, reputational damage, ethico-legal issues, and damage to the therapist-patient relationship. Readers will find this book chock full of real-life examples of individuals and organizations who ignored HIPAA, did not understand or properly implement specific requirements, failed to properly analyze the risks to their patient s private information, or intentionally skirted the law. In the quest to lower compliance risks for mental health providers HIPAA Demystified presents a concise, comprehensive guide, paving the path to HIPAA compliance for mental health providers in any setting.
Stepped-up efforts to ferret out health care fraud have put every provider on the alert. The HHS, DOJ, state Medicaid Fraud Control Units, even the FBI is on the case -- and providers are in the hot seat! in this timely volume, you'll learn about the types of provider activities that fall under federal fraud and abuse prohibitions as defined in the Medicaid statute and Stark legislation. And you'll discover what goes into an effective corporate compliance program. With a growing number of restrictions, it's critical to know how you can and cannot conduct business and structure your relationships -- and what the consequences will be if you don't comply.
This User’s Guide is intended to support the design, implementation, analysis, interpretation, and quality evaluation of registries created to increase understanding of patient outcomes. For the purposes of this guide, a patient registry is an organized system that uses observational study methods to collect uniform data (clinical and other) to evaluate specified outcomes for a population defined by a particular disease, condition, or exposure, and that serves one or more predetermined scientific, clinical, or policy purposes. A registry database is a file (or files) derived from the registry. Although registries can serve many purposes, this guide focuses on registries created for one or more of the following purposes: to describe the natural history of disease, to determine clinical effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of health care products and services, to measure or monitor safety and harm, and/or to measure quality of care. Registries are classified according to how their populations are defined. For example, product registries include patients who have been exposed to biopharmaceutical products or medical devices. Health services registries consist of patients who have had a common procedure, clinical encounter, or hospitalization. Disease or condition registries are defined by patients having the same diagnosis, such as cystic fibrosis or heart failure. The User’s Guide was created by researchers affiliated with AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program, particularly those who participated in AHRQ’s DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions About Effectiveness) program. Chapters were subject to multiple internal and external independent reviews.
Determinants of health - like physical activity levels and living conditions - have traditionally been the concern of public health and have not been linked closely to clinical practice. However, if standardized social and behavioral data can be incorporated into patient electronic health records (EHRs), those data can provide crucial information about factors that influence health and the effectiveness of treatment. Such information is useful for diagnosis, treatment choices, policy, health care system design, and innovations to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs. Capturing Social and Behavioral Domains and Measures in Electronic Health Records: Phase 2 identifies domains and measures that capture the social determinants of health to inform the development of recommendations for the meaningful use of EHRs. This report is the second part of a two-part study. The Phase 1 report identified 17 domains for inclusion in EHRs. This report pinpoints 12 measures related to 11 of the initial domains and considers the implications of incorporating them into all EHRs. This book includes three chapters from the Phase 1 report in addition to the new Phase 2 material. Standardized use of EHRs that include social and behavioral domains could provide better patient care, improve population health, and enable more informative research. The recommendations of Capturing Social and Behavioral Domains and Measures in Electronic Health Records: Phase 2 will provide valuable information on which to base problem identification, clinical diagnoses, patient treatment, outcomes assessment, and population health measurement.
How will this book reshape your understanding of HIPAA? Engaging with "Being Compliant with HIPAA: A Comprehensive Guide" is more than just reading a book-it's embarking on a transformative journey. It's about evolving your understanding, fostering a culture of respect for patient privacy, and elevating the standards of your organization or practice. Here are some of the benefits you will get by reading this book: Comprehensive Understanding: This guide is not just a rundown of do's and don'ts-it's a deep dive into HIPAA's essence. It fosters a complete understanding of the legislation's nuances and intricacies, allowing you to grasp not just the 'what, ' but the 'why' behind each regulation. Empowerment Through Knowledge: Knowledge is power, and in-depth understanding of HIPAA can empower you and your organization. It enables you to take proactive measures, anticipate potential pitfalls, and create an environment that respects privacy and security. Step-by-Step Guidance: The guide is designed to lead you step by step through the process of building a HIPAA compliance program, simplifying complex procedures, and making the journey less daunting. Risk Management: It provides valuable insights on risk assessment and management-a key aspect of HIPAA compliance. With these skills, you can identify vulnerabilities and address them before they escalate into serious breaches. Future-Proof Your Compliance: With a specific focus on HIPAA in the digital age, the guide helps future-proof your compliance efforts. It offers guidance on dealing with emerging technologies, telehealth, and mobile apps, preparing you for the landscape of tomorrow. Cultivating a Culture of Compliance: The guide emphasizes the importance of developing a culture of compliance within your organization. This culture goes beyond mere rule-following-it promotes a deep-seated respect for patient privacy and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of data security. Become an Authority: Reading this guide will set you apart as an authority on HIPAA compliance in your organization. You'll be a go-to resource for your colleagues, enhancing your professional value. Avoiding Penalties: Non-compliance can result in severe penalties. This guide helps you avoid such repercussions by ensuring that you're fully informed about HIPAA's requirements. Reading "Being Compliant with HIPAA: A Comprehensive Guide" is an investment that pays rich dividends. It's an investment in knowledge, in your organization, in your career, and, most importantly, in the trust and wellbeing of the patients you serve. This guide isn't just about being compliant-it's about being exceptional in the healthcare industry. So, let's embark on this journey together. Let's learn, understand, and innovate. For in the heart of compliance, we find better care, better services, and a better healthcare community. Welcome to "Being Compliant with HIPAA: A Comprehensive Guide." It's time to turn the page and begin. See you in chapter 1. Your partner in compliance, Wilder.
Section 1557 is the nondiscrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This brief guide explains Section 1557 in more detail and what your practice needs to do to meet the requirements of this federal law. Includes sample notices of nondiscrimination, as well as taglines translated for the top 15 languages by state.
