Resource for Physicians | Doctor-Patient Relationship

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Privacy, security issues more challenging with a tougher HIPAA, growing cyber risks

Healthcare providers can receive incentives for adopting electronic health records (EHR), but the federal government is also mandating tighter controls over patient information and data. Failure to comply with strengthened requirements can mean stiffened penalties, lawsuits, audits, fines, loss of reputation and other costly consequences. A special package of articles, checklists and links to other sources can help you navigate the thicket of new information and changes while protecting your patients and yourself.

LATEST ARTICLES

How to run a cash-only practice and thrive

Brian Forrest, MD, explains how he arrived at a cash-only practice that does not accept insurance.

Surveys show many healthcare providers not ready for new privacy and security regulations

One survey of 77 healthcare organizations found that 94 percent believe they are not ready to comply with privacy and security provisions of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act which take effect in February.

HITECH ratchets up HIPAA accountability

A tougher HIPAA, a new Red Flags Rule, and the addition of "payment card" standards are tightening requirements for physicians and other health care providers to prevent identity theft, unauthorized access to protected health information, and loss of consumer debit and credit card information.

Truncated information mandated for patient receipts

The electronically printed credit and debit card receipts you give your patients must shorten—or truncate—the account information.

Malware can infect a medical practice, weaken its security

An array of spyware, adware, viruses, trojans, worms, and phishing schemes waits to invade your practice over the network.