Following current settlements in opposition to suppliers who violated HIPAA Privacy Rule, CDA encourages its members to make the most of an array of tools and resources to attain compliance
Enforcement actions in opposition to suppliers by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights to uphold sufferers’ rights to entry or shield their personal well being information are more and more widespread. Two current circumstances particularly function an necessary reminder for dental professionals to remain vigilant in terms of HIPAA compliance.
California dentist named in one among two settlements
In December 2022, OCR introduced two settlements for complaints that had been introduced in opposition to suppliers who had been in violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
In the primary criticism, a Florida well being clinic failed to offer well timed entry to requested affected person information regardless of a number of requests. “The right of patients to access their health information is one of the cornerstones of HIPAA, and one that OCR takes seriously. We will continue to ensure that health care providers and health plans take this right seriously and follow the law,” acknowledged OCR Director Melanie Fontes Rainer. Rainer additionally pointed to the accountability of suppliers to implement procedures and workforce coaching to make sure they and their workers do all they will to assist sufferers entry information.
The topic of the second criticism was a California dentist (not a CDA member) who disclosed affected person well being information inside a social media submit. “This latest enforcement action demonstrates the importance of following the law even when you are using social media,” Rainer defined. “Providers cannot disclose protected health information of their patients when responding to negative reviews online. This is a clear ‘NO.’”
In each circumstances, the dentists had been required to offer financial settlements and will undertake corrective motion plans that embrace two years of monitoring by OCR to make sure correct adherence to the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
How does CDA assist members obtain compliance?
Understanding that HIPAA compliance is important to the well being of your dental observe, CDA has resources accessible to assist members perceive and obtain compliance.
Dental professionals are urged to make the most of accessible steering and tools from CDA in order that your observe can keep away from the price and issue of a HIPAA violation.