Most healthcare providers make every effort to ensure that HIPAA rules are followed, but sometimes accidents occur. What happens when there is an accidental HIPAA violation? How should an employee report an accidental HIPAA violation? Any HIPAA violation must be treated seriously. Whether a healthcare employee accidentally sent a fax containing PHI to the wrong...
The 2022 HIPAA Breach reporting deadline is less than a month away. Which means any breaches involving 500 individuals or less must be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) no later than Monday, March 1, 2022. What is a Data Breach? A data breach is considered the impermissible use or...
As we turn the page on 2021 and embark on 2022, many are hopeful that this year we will finally return to normalcy. But as Omicron surges across the nation at record breaking-rates, Americans have become tired and weary of what has seemed like a never-ending pandemic. Government officials, hospitals, physicians, healthcare workers and employers...
The 2021 HIPAA Breach reporting deadline is less than a month away. Which means any breaches involving 500 individuals or less must be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) no later than Monday, March 1, 2021. What is a Data Breach? A data breach is considered the impermissible use or...
Crimes of opportunity have been increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and cybercrime is no exception. The FBI recently reported that cyberattacks have increased to as much as 4,000 more per day, representing a 400% increase from pre-coronavirus numbers. Cybercriminals are using phishing attacks, spam, and ransomware to send fraudulent emails regarding COVID-19 as bait. They...
Coronavirus cybersecurity threats are on the rise. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only infected the entire globe with a health crisis like never seen before. It has changed our lives, families, businesses, work and our security. It has brought about new risks and challenges in the workplace, with cyberspace being no exception. Amid this worldwide...
Remote employees stay HIPAA compliant during COVID-19 by adapting to new protocols and technologies that ensure the confidentiality and security of patient information. As the pandemic has shifted much of the healthcare sector to telework, organizations have had to implement rigorous cybersecurity measures and comprehensive training to meet HIPAA standards remotely. These measures include secure...
Recently, there has been some confusion on whether or not the utilization of personal health information (PHI) to contact patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to provide them with information about donating blood and plasma donations would be permitted under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The answer is yes, under certain circumstances. Healthcare providers are permitted to...
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued guidance and clarity regarding disclosures of protected health information (PHI) during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. Under HIPAA law, a covered entity is allowed to disclose the protected health information (PHI) of an individual infected with, or exposed to, COVID-19,...
Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications during the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency The following statement was sent out by OCR regarding Telehealth Remote Communications: We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency. We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including...
