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Failure to Encrypt Mobile Devices Results in $3 Million HIPAA Fine

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The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has agreed to pay $3 million to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and take substantial corrective action to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules. URMC includes healthcare … Read more

$180,000 EMTALA Fine Levied For Common Violations

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The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has announced a $180,000 fine against a Georgia hospital for two common violations — 1) using a “rapid medical screening” that short-cuts EMTALA requirements and then asking for money upfront and 2) substituting the receiving physician’s opinion for the transferring physician’s opinion and denying a transfer. Put simply, the … Read more

FBI renews warning on ransomware after 3 hospitals pay ransom to re-open

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October 14, 2019 — The FBI is warning all businesses and healthcare providers about the threat of ransomware that has been sweeping the country and disabling or totally closing businesses, healthcare systems, industrial companies, and the transportation sector.  The October 2, 2019 public service announcement is the second in less than a month on the … Read more

$85,000 paid by hospital to OCR on patient HIPAA access to records complaint

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The Office of Civil  (OCR) rights announced on September 4 that it has assessed its first financial penalty for delayed provision of patient access to medical records.  Hospital and medical offices have frequently been the object of HIPAA complaints for not allowing patients access to their records, delaying responses for records requests, and over-charging patients … Read more

CMS Issues FAQ for Psych

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  Frequently Asked Questions Regarding EMTALA and Psychiatric Hospitals — CMS Quality, Safety & Oversight Group – July 2, 2019. Materials in brackets [ ] indicate editorial insertions by Publisher of this website. 1) Question: Do surveyors investigate state law and state scope of practice regulations while conducting an EMTALA investigation and how do those … Read more

FAQ: What are the rules for a NP/PA transfer?

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              I received a recent question on transfers by a mid-level provider and how the co-signature rule would apply:   The regulations and site review guidelines indicate that the mid-level provider (IF THEY ARE AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE AN MSE IN THE ED by the medical staff bylaws or board … Read more