THE WEEKLY DOSE

April 3, 2016 Vol. 5, No. 13

HIPAA COMPLIANCE

Feds Launch Phase 2 of HIPAA Compliance Audits

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched Phase 2 of its HIPAA audit program. FCi Federal will be conducting the audits for OCR. The new round of audits will assess physicians' compliance with HIPAA's patient privacy provisions.

According to a March 21, 2016, Law360 article, after emailing physicians and business associates to verify their contact information, OCR will create a "pool of audit targets," including physicians, health plans, health care clearinghouses, and business associates. "Serious compliance issues" could lead to further investigation resulting in violators paying financial penalties and agreeing to strengthen HIPAA compliance.

"It was not immediately clear how many audits the OCR intends to conduct," the Law360 article stated. "The agency did say that most of the reviews will be remote 'desk audits,' although some in-person audits will take place. All the desk audits will be finished by the end of 2016, according to the OCR."

Here are some steps you can take toward HIPAA compliance:

Adopt comprehensive privacy policies and procedures that are up to date and specific to your practice.
Carefully train everyone on your staff, especially new hires, according to your policies and procedures.
Perform a risk analysis on your practice's data security, and set up reasonable safeguards as necessary.
Develop a risk management plan to ensure ongoing security.
When staff violate practice policies and procedures, take appropriate action, and document it.

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GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

POETRY READING

In celebration of National Poetry Month and in collaboration with the publication of this year's issue of Connective Tissue, the History of Medicine Society will host its annual History of Medicine in Poetry Night on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:00 pm in the Howe Conference Room on the 5th floor of the Briscoe Library. Make note that this meeting is being held on a Tuesday night due to scheduling issues.

Poets and fans of poetry, including UT Health Science Center faculty, students, staff, and affiliates, will share readings of original and classic poems related to the health sciences.

Individuals interested in participating in the event as poetry readers, please contact Eithan Kotkowski, MD/PhD student at Kotkowski@livemail.uthscsa.edu.

BUILDING DEDICATION

GOLF TOURNAMENT

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SPACE FOR LEASE

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CIRCLE OF FRIENDS PLATINUM SPONSOR

The Bexar County Medical Society is proud to Welcome a Renewing Platinum Sponsor to our Circle of Friends program.

Favorite Healthcare Staffing

Serving the Texas healthcare community since 1981, Favorite Healthcare Staffing is proud to be the exclusive provider of staffing services for the BCMS. In addition to traditional staffing solutions, Favorite offers a comprehensive range of staffing services to help members improve cost control, increase efficiency and protect their revenue cycle.

Brody Whitley Branch Director

210-301-4362

bwhitley@favoritestaffing.com

www.favoritestaffing.com

"Favorite Healthcare Staffing offers preferred pricing for BCMS members."

Please support this sponsor with your patronage.

Thank you!