New HIPPA Guidance

“Guidance Issued on Refill Reminders and Other Medication Adherence Communications under the HITECH Act Omnibus Rule. You can access the new guidance materials at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/.

The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued guidance on how the changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule’s marketing provisions under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act and Omnibus Rule apply to refill reminders and other communications about drugs or biologics currently being prescribed for individuals.  The new Fact Sheet and corresponding Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) explain how the refill reminder exception to the marketing rule works, and address both the scope of communications that fall within the exception, as well as the types of third party payments that are considered “reasonable” under the statute and regulations for making such communications.  In addition, the Secretary has decided, as an exercise of her discretion, not to enforce the restrictions on remunerated refill reminders and other communications about drugs and biologics for a period of 45 days following the September 23, 2013, compliance date, or until November 7, 2013. Also released are new fact sheets and FAQs that provide guidance on the Omnibus Rule changes to how the HIPAA Privacy Rule applies to decedent information and disclosures of proof of student immunizations to schools.” [Source: PrivaPlan]

THE Consortium June Webinar - Preparing for the Summer

Please join us for THE Consortium webinar on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 from 12:00pm - 1:15pm where we will discuss preparing for the Summer by reviewing key upcoming changes that affect medical practices and hospitals. Topics will include:

·         What to expect with the Final HITECH HIPAA Rule
·         What to expect with the Final Meaningful Use Stage 2 Rule
·         Updates on 5010 and the required eligibility and claims status operating rules
·         Updates on Medicaid and Medicare attestation

To register, click here.

ONC Issues Final Rule for Permanent Certification Program for Health Information Technology

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) today issued a final rule to establish the permanent certification program for health information technology. The permanent certification program provides new features that will enhance the certification of health information technology, including increasing the comprehensiveness, transparency, reliability, and efficiency of the current processes used for the certification of electronic health record (EHR) technology. Meaningful use of “Certified EHR Technology” is a core requirement for eligible health care providers who seek to qualify to receive incentive payments under the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs as authorized by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.