The HITECH Act and 300 BAUD Modems
I remember back in 1984 when I got my first modem for my computer. It was a 300 BAUD modem. In today’s terms think 186 times slower than dial-up. But WOW it opened up the world. No longer was my IBM compatible confined to my desk. My computer could now go anywhere in the world. Of course there weren’t too many anywheres to go. Now I can access almost any computer on the planet. Well you know what? Anyone on the planet can also access your PC now too.
This is why the Federal government has come up with HIPAA, Red Flag Rules and the HITECH Act for healthcare providers so they will secure patients data, both physically and technically. There are penalties ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 per breach of patient data, even if it was unintentional or just an accidental discloser. It doesn’t matter to the feds or the trial lawyers.
From what I hear in my dealings with medical practices, most are not aware of the compliance requirements and their computer systems are vulnerable. Hopefully within the next year the word gets out more and medical practices really start to take computer security seriously.
Categories: Complaince
Tags: Medical Billing Medical Billing Company Healthcare Reform HITECH Act HIPAA Red Flag Rules Compliance Medical Billing Companies
How long have you been in this field? You seem to know a lot more than I do, I’d love to know your sources!
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Forwarded this to some friends, appreciate your advice
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A good read, definitely worth a cut and paste. Thanks!
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Excellent blog post, I look forward to reading more.
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WOW, that good!
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Great work buddy, keep it up
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I certainly hope so! The staggering amount of personal information that is stored in our medical files would be a GOLD MINE for a terrorist/hacker etc...
In this era where personal privacy is in jeopardy and fraud is rampant, let's hope we're being protected by the institutions that SHOULD be looking out for our best interests!
Cheers!
-Booker
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The thing you are missing is that a law is only as good as its enforcement. Those $25,000 fines exist in writing, but would they ever in a million years be implemented? I have a feeling that they would not.
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You are correct, in the past there has not been much enforcement. However, the HITECH Act has put some teeth into HIPAA. The authority to administer and enforce the Security Rule was transferred to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) on July 27, 2009 and they plan to enforce the rules.
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No longer was my IBM compatible confined to my desk. My computer could now go anywhere in the world. Of course there weren’t too many anywheres to go. Now I can access almost any computer on the planet. Well you know what? Anyone on the planet can also access your PC now too.
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