Health Tech Podcast - Episode 3: HIPAA, HITECH and TCPA
The Biggest Changes in HIPAA/HITECH Omnibus Rule & Recommended Action Steps—Ted Kobus
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continued its commitment to timely and full access to health records on June 24, 2024, through the finalization of its information blocking disincentives rule for...more
On February 8, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a memorandum from the Quality, Safety & Oversight Group (QSOG) updating its 2018 guidance on texting patient information among healthcare...more
With the recent announcements of two new innovation models, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is recognizing the role of digitally enabled care in improving access and outcomes. ...more
Updates to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Security Rule (“HIPAA Security Rule”) are planned for Spring 2024. New guidance from The Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) via a recently...more
"Rather than reacting, you must be proactive and preventive. By doing this, you will not only be prepared for the potential obstacles that face your company, but you will most likely eliminate obstacles before they appear." ...more
OCR Public Comment on Security Practices and Civil Monetary Penalties - The Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) is seeking information from stakeholders on two aspects of the Health Information Technology for Economic and...more
Below is Alston & Bird’s Health Care Week in Review, which provides a synopsis of the latest news in health care regulations, notices, and guidance; federal legislation and congressional committee action; reports, studies,...more
Editor’s Note: As states face the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, information technology (IT) is an essential tool to support access to health coverage and the safe and effective evaluation, testing and treatment of...more
On December 12, 2019, OIG released a report finding that CMS made an estimated $94 million in incorrect Medicare incentive payments to acute-care hospitals for using electronic health records (EHRs) over an audit period from...more
On January 18, 2018, the newly formed Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (“HITAC”) held its first meeting to discuss health IT goals for 2018 and beyond. HITAC’s purpose is to advise the country on key, modern...more
In a June 12, 2017 report entitled, Medicare Paid Hundreds of Millions in Electronic Health Record Incentive Payments That Did Not Comply With Federal Requirements, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of...more
There are inherent risks in any vendor relationship. In the healthcare industry, with myriad regulatory pitfalls, the stakes can be even higher. Several customers of the cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) software...more
It is something of an understatement to note that the U.S. healthcare legal landscape is currently experiencing a degree of transition and uncertainty. There is no shortage of changes to discuss, debate, and, perhaps, grow...more
On June 12, 2017 the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report entitled Medicare Paid Hundreds of Millions in Electronic Health Record Incentive Payments That Did Not Comply...more
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act ("HITECH Act") established financial incentives under Medicare and Medicaid for eligible health care providers that adopt, implement, and demonstrate use...more
The 21st Century Cures Act (Cures) was signed into law December 13, 2016. While the primary focus of the 996-page Act centered on biomedical innovation, several components of Cures have significant implications for health...more
In an important recent decision, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed that a qui tam relator's claim that her former husband improperly accessed electronic protected health information (e-PHI) of her and her relatives...more
This Week: The President took a victory lap in Wisconsin, announcing that 20 million people have gained health insurance through the Affordable Care Act... That figure includes people newly covered through insurance...more
Documentation in Electronic Health Records: - Nursing homes lag behind other providers in electronic health record system adoption - Of 472 nursing homes in New York, there was a 7.7 percent increase in EHR adoption...more
Meaningful Use (MU) is again at the forefront of many hospital leaders’ minds, as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule in early April that aligns Stage 1 and Stage 2 incentives and...more
This is the fourth and final post in our series on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). Pub.L. No. 114-10. We’ve previously covered the repeal of the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) in our April 20th post,...more
On March 20, 2015, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS“) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (“ONC“) each released their much-anticipated proposed rules for Stage 3 of...more
Starting in 2015, eligible physicians and hospitals participating in the Medicare Electronic Health Records Incentive Program who do not adopt "meaningful" use" certified electronic health record (EHR) technology will no...more
Ten Years In: Charting the Progress of Health Information Exchange in the U.S. - HITECH: Federal Dollars Spur Adoption and Use: The modern era of HIE-related public policy began in May 2004 with the appointment...more
On December 5, 2013, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported on the Office for Civil Rights’ (OCR) compliance as of May 2011 with oversight and enforcement of the Security Rule and compliance with federal cybersecurity...more