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Showing 18 posts in Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act).

EHR Systems: Is Certification Ever Certain?

The 2009 Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”) Act provides the Department of Health & Human Services (“HHS”) with the authority to establish programs to improve health care quality, safety, and efficiency through the implementation of health IT, including electronic health record technology (“EHR Technology”). Under HITECH, eligible health care providers can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments when they adopt certified EHR technology and use it to achieve specifically outlined objectives, known as “meaningful use" requirements. More >

More on the Final HIPAA Omnibus Rule

To follow up our previous blog on the Final Omnibus Rule (“Rule”) regarding HIPAA and HITECH, 78 Fed.Reg. 17, Part II, 5566-5702 (Jan. 25, 2013), which modifies 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, we will now discuss the changes to the Breach Notification Rule. The modifications will greatly reshape how Covered Entities and Business Associates view a breach. More >

HHS Issues Final HIPAA Omnibus Rule

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) recently announced its issuance of the highly-anticipated regulations or Final Omnibus Rule (“Rule”) relating to the modification of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Enforcement rules under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“the HITECH Act”). 78 Fed.Reg. 17 Part II (January 25, 2013) modifying 45 CFR Parts 160, 162, 164. The Final Rule, 78 Fed.Reg. 17 Part II, 563 pages in length, makes significant changes of which all providers need to be aware. A complete examination of the sweeping changes cannot be done in one article, so we will make a general summary of the most important changes. More >

HHS Issues Final HIPAA/HITECH Rule

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) issued its Final Rule modifying the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) privacy and security regulations pursuant to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”) on January 17, 2013.  The Final Rule strengthens the privacy and security requirement of HIPAA governing protected health information (“PHI”) and gives HHS greater enforcement authority to police violations of the privacy and security requirements.  The Final Rule will require health care providers and their business associates to re-evaluate their HIPAA compliance policies and procedures to avoid potential liability for violations of HIPAA requirements. More >

Changes to Deadlines for Stage Two – Meaningful Use in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs

Posted In Critical Access Hospitals (“CAHs”), Electronic Health Records (“EHR"), Health Care Law, Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act), Medicaid, Medicare

Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”) Act, health care professionals and hospitals may qualify for incentive payments when they adopt and meaningfully use certified electronic health records (“EHR") under a three stage process. More >

THE “WILD WILD WEST” OF SMS

SMS text messaging is quickly becoming the preferred method of communication for many people who find it a quick and convenient way to share information with friends, family and, increasingly, with colleagues.  This is true in the health care space as well with patients increasingly using text messaging to communicate with providers and to receive health-related reminders and updates, including for health care appointments, medication therapies and health news.  For example, anyone can text the word HEALTH to 87000 and begin receiving text messages from the Center for Disease Control regarding emergency alerts, new research and reports, as well as health information and tips. More >

Is a Cloud Vendor a Business Associate?

Posted In Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), Health Care Law, Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

Before a covered entity can use cloud storage for ePHI, the covered entity must enter into a business associate agreement (BAA) with the cloud vendor.[i]  It seems that there is some uncertainty surrounding this requirement, with some cloud vendors taking the position that a BAA is unnecessary for passive storage of ePHI or that they qualify for an exception under HITECH Act as a personal health records vendor. More >

IS HIPAA IN THE CLOUDS?

Posted In Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), Health Care Law, Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)

Virtual or “cloud” data storage is an increasingly popular method for storing data electronically in a safe and yet conveniently accessible manner that may also represent a cost savings over traditional onsite data storage options.  Health care providers, including hospitals, pharmacies and physicians, have been slow to avail themselves of the benefits of “cloud computing” due in part to concerns about whether the cloud offers the rigorous privacy and security safeguards required for storing electronic protected health information (ePHI) under Federal and State privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) and implementing regulations. More >

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