What information could help students to file a Title IX complaint? According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) statistics, nearly 80% of female college victims do not report sexual harassment.  Why don’t the victims of sexual harassment report the incident? Why do they hesitate?  Various reasons drive such behavior – the fear that the college won’t believe them; the person isn’t sure if the charges are serious enough; they are worried that their complaint won’t be treated confidentially; it could be the fear of retaliation; or a lack of clarity about what can be as ..read more

Who is a Business Associate? A “Business Associate” refers to an individual or entity that performs certain functions or activities involving the use or disclosure of protected health information (PHI) on behalf of, or provides services to, a covered entity in the healthcare sector. This term is commonly used in the context of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. Business associates might include consultants, billing companies, IT service providers, attorneys, and other third-party service providers who have access to PHI through their work with ..read more

What is security awareness training? Security awareness training is a formal process for educating employees about computer security and the best practices for maintaining a safe and secure working environment. This type of training typically includes strategies for managing passwords, understanding the tactics that hackers might use, such as phishing, and the protocols for reporting security breaches. The aim is to create a company-wide awareness of security threats and to empower employees to recognize and prevent security incidents before they occur. Why is security awareness training impor ..read more

Download Infographics What is Hipaa Compliance HIPAA compliance is adherence to the physical, administrative, and technical safeguards outlined in HIPAA, which covered entities and business associates must uphold to protect the integrity of Protected Health Information (PHI). HIPAA Compliance Checklist Establish a HIPAA Compliance Committee Review HIPAA guidelines Perform gap analysis to identify areas of concern Build and execute a plan to address security gaps Review key vendors’ interactions with PHI Perform ongoing monitoring and audits Establish data breach incident response protocols ..read more

The Health and Human Services has fined yet another healthcare provider for refusing to release medical records when requested by the patient. This is the tenth enforcement action of this type by the HHS this year. Last month, HHS imposed two fines of more than $100,000 for similar violations. SJHMC paid $160,000 and NY Spine paid a penalty of $100,000 for violating the patient’s right to access medical records. The HIPAA Privacy rule gives people a legal, enforceable right to access their medical records that are stored with providers and plans. People also have the right to receive a copy of ..read more

What Is Diversity in the Workplace? Diversity in the workplace refers to the intentional inclusion and representation of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and characteristics. It encompasses differences in race, gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical abilities, and other attributes. A diverse workplace not only acknowledges these differences but also values and leverages them to foster a more inclusive, innovative, and harmonious environment. Such diversity is crucial in reflecting the complexity of the global market and en ..read more

What is the focus of Stark Law? The Stark Law, named after U.S. Congressman Pete Stark who originally sponsored it, is a provision of U.S. federal law that prohibits physicians from referring Medicare patients for certain designated health services (DHS) to entities with which the physician or an immediate family member has a financial relationship, unless an exception applies. The primary purpose of the Stark Law is to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse by eliminating the influence of financial incentives in physicians’ medical decision-making.  Key points about Stark Law inclu ..read more

HIPAA Compliance Definition HIPAA Compliance refers to fulfilling the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, a U.S. federal law designed to protect the privacy and security of patients’ medical information. HIPAA Compliance History The history of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance is rooted in the evolving needs of the healthcare system in the United States. Here’s a brief overview of its development: Early Foundations (Pre-1996): Before HIPAA was enacted, there was a growing concern about the security and p ..read more

Neglecting the three HIPAA rules can lead to large fines, loss of face, and for an employee worker – loss of job. Businesses can lose up to 1.5 million dollars as fines. So, if you are covered under HIPAA, you must comply with the three HIPAA rules. Why the 3 rules of HIPAA are necessary When discussing HIPAA, you may often come across references to three critical rules: the Privacy Rule, the Security Rule, and the Breach Notification Rule. Why are these rules so significant? Non-compliance can lead to large civil monetary fines, reaching up to $1.5 million, or even criminal sanctions. Further ..read more

What are the HIPAA Training Requirements? HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, outlines certain requirements to ensure the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI). Among these requirements is the need for training healthcare personnel on HIPAA’s privacy and security rules. HIPAA Training Requirements: Initial Training: New employees or staff members should receive HIPAA training shortly after being hired. This helps them understand the importance of protecting PHI and their responsibilities regarding the same. Annual Training: While HIPAA doesn’t s ..read more