AMA’s HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules Overview
Date: 10 Mar 2010 | Comment (0)Information regarding the HIPAA and HITECH changes contained in the 2009 Economic Stimulus package.
Additional information from the AMA.
HITECH Act Mandated Changes
Date: 8 Mar 2010 | Comment (0)
As of February 18, 2010, all HIPAA covered entities (physicians and their employees) will also be under HITECH (Health Information Technology Economic and Clinical Health) Act. The HIPAA Security Rules require covered entities and business associates to implement and adopt administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure that electronic protected health information (“ePHI”) is adequately protected.
HITECH also includes civil and criminal penalties for violations of HIPAA and compliance audits. These penalties range from $100 to $50,000 per violation based on the nature and extent of the violation and the extent of the resulting harm. With these new compliance responsibilities in an increased enforcement environment at both the federal and state levels, physicians need to quickly take steps to prepare themselves for the first wave of audits.
Covered entities also need to be cognizant of what measures to take to both limit their compliance liability with their Business Associates (BA) and to structure their contractual agreements with BAs to better enable efficient and effective compliance and notification response requirements.
Working with Joan Kiel, PhD, the Allegheny County Medical Society has developed sample policies and an online training module to help ensure compliance with the new HITECH rules. Additional information and registration details are available at http://www.acms.org/training/coveredentity/index.html
Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts2010 Medical Office Occupational Health and OSHA Update
Date: 5 Mar 2010 | Comment (0)
Medical Office Occupational Health
and
OSHA Update
Wednesday
April 14, 2010
At the
Allegheny County Medical Society
713 Ridge Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
A program directed to administrative personnel, physicians, nurses in schools and business, medical offices, clinics, nursing homes and
other health professionals.
Registration Information
Fee: $50.00
Each additional registration $45.00
FDA Recall: Products Containing Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Date: 5 Mar 2010 | Comment (0)Recall: Products Containing Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
via Recall: Products Containing Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is actively investigating findings of Salmonella Tennessee in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., in Las Vegas, NV. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in a wide variety of processed food products, such as soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips, and dressings. It is often blended with other spices to make seasonings that are used in or on foods.
Pay your 2010 membership dues online.
Date: 4 Mar 2010Renew your Allegheny County Medical Society and Pennsylvania Medical Society memberships online at www.pamedsoc.org/membership. (click renew)
AMA – U.S. Senate Delays Medicare Physician Cut for One Month
Date: 3 Mar 2010 | Comment (0)AMA – U.S. Senate Delays Medicare Physician Cut for One Month.
Washington, D.C. – “Last night, the U.S. Senate voted yet again to delay the 21 percent Medicare physician payment cut for one month, postponing it until April 1. The Senate should use this time to permanently repeal the flawed Medicare physician payment formula that puts access to care for seniors and military families at risk.
Additional Information
ACBS – “How to Document and Implement Client/Patient Health Care Decisions”
Date: 1 Mar 2010 | Comment (0)The Allegheny County Bar Association
Probate and Trust Law Section presents
“How to Document and Implement Client/Patient Health Care Decisions”
April 22, 2010
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
ACBA Conference Center
414 Grant St (City-County Building)
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Course credit offerings include: CME, CLE, NHA, NASW and NAPCA.
Click here for registration information.
Privacy policies over electronic health records expand reach – Pittsburgh Business Times:
Date: 26 Feb 2010 | Comment (0)Pittsburgh Business Times
The HITECH Act, a provision written into the Recovery Act that deals with the security of electronic health records, hit a small milestone this week.
On Feb. 17, a large group of companies classified as business associates of health care providers became subject to privacy policies outlined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
via Privacy policies over electronic health records expand reach – Pittsburgh Business Times:.
AMA – Senate Inaction on Medicare Hurts Seniors, Military and Boom
Date: 26 Feb 2010 | Comment (0)AMA – Senate Inaction on Medicare Hurts Seniors, Military and Boom.
Drastic 21 percent Medicare physician payment cut will take place on Monday, March 1
For immediate release:
Feb. 26, 2010
Washington, D.C. – A Medicare meltdown now seems certain, as the U.S. Senate has left early for the weekend, abandoning seniors, military families and baby boomers. The Senate failed to repeal the Medicare physician payment formula that will cause a drastic 21 percent payment cut to physicians who care for Medicare and TRICARE patients. On Monday, the 21 percent cut goes into effect, forcing many physicians to limit the number of Medicare and TRICARE patients they see in order to keep their practice doors open.
American Medical Society – www.ama-assn.org
A Bipartisan Meeting on Health Reform
Date: 24 Feb 2010 | Comment (0)February 25, 2010 10:00 AM EST
A Bipartisan Meeting on Health Reform
If you are interested in viewing, the meeting will be streamed live online at www.whitehouse.gov/live
