Healthcare Compliance Updates & Tips

The evolution of the risk of successful cyberattacks has been evident since 2010—when the Affordable Care Act was signed and resulted in a transition from paper to electronic medical records. Healthcare organizations began implementing new electronic medical record applications to comply with meaningful use (MU) requirements. Over the years, MU has introduced new criteria with a heavy focus on interoperability among applications. The combination of MU efforts, merger and acquisition activity, and the pandemic-induced remote workforce have increased healthcare organizations’ risk profiles, remaining a prime target for cyberattackers to do what they do best.

Investments in cybersecurity will remain a top priority for healthcare executives. There are three specific gaps for provider organizations to watch in the year ahead: vendor risk management, internal audits, and disaster recovery plans.

Health care investments in privacy and security are set to explode in the wake of ongoing cyberattacks and rising risk. Know the three most important risk areas to fortify and be prepared for the 2023 surge.

Cybersecurity threats in healthcare have posed serious risks and challenges for years. As a result, the government recognized the need to regulate access to electronic protected health information, or ePHI. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act were designed and implemented as national standards for the privacy of protected health information, the security of ePHI, and breach notification to consumers. These rules include risk assessment and risk management by covered entities.

The use of health information technology becomes more prevalent in healthcare every day. As with most things, this presents pros and cons. New technologies offer opportunities and benefits for consumers, but they also present risks to consumer privacy

Critical applications, medical devices, protected health information (PHI), patient safety, and lives are all at risk when extended downtime occurs. The question is, are you and your team prepared?

In a recent Health Financial Management Association article, our very own Gerry Blass gives voice to the importance of a commitment to cybersecurity.

Healthcare data breaches occur almost every day and are becoming more frequent. Threat actors are continually shifting their tactics and targets relentlessly to stay ahead of the game. As a result, it is absolutely necessary that healthcare organizations respond to ever-changing cyber threats and implement technical safeguards that are current, comprehensive, and compliant.

In the latest issue of the Journal of Health Care Compliance, our very own Gerry Blass outlines the essential steps you should take to implement a solid business continuity plan.

How do you know that your electronic protected health information (ePHI) is secure? In today’s world, you can never be too careful. Read on to learn about HIPAA’s administrative safeguards.