HIPAA Deadline Looming
The April 16th HIPAA compliance deadline for the privacy standards will soon be upon us. By now, those practices who have been impacted by HIPAA should have completed the following steps:
- Development of a privacy and procedure manual
- Development of a staff training and orientation program
- Develop procedures for handling requests to inspect or copy protected health information
- Mail out business associate agreements
Between now and April 16th, you should consider doing the following:
- Complete privacy orientation and training for all work staff
- Establish a complaint process
- Develop and implement documentation procedures and systems
- Develop and implement notice and authorization forms
Remember that the final privacy rules require health care providers:
- To give every patient a notice describing their privacy practices
- To obtain the patient’s written acknowledgement of receiving the notice
- To obtain the patient’s authorization for use or disclosure of information that is not covered by the consent