Privacy Rule Deadline Approaching

Privacy Rule Deadline Approaching

MedAbiliti

February 25, 2003

The Final Privacy Rule was published in the Federal Register [ http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/combinedregtext.pdf ] on August 14, 2002, with a list of general administrative requirements [ http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/regtext.html ]. ("Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information"). The Privacy Rule has a compliance date of April 14, 2003, with April 14, 2004, for small health plans. Details of the Final Rule can be found here [ http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20020809.html ].

All hospitals, nursing homes, health plans, employer-sponsored health benefits plans, health insurers, managed care organizations, billing companies, health registries, and all health care providers are covered.

How MedAbiliti Can Help: To become compliant with HIPAA, an audit of existing organization policies must be taken to see where privacy issues may be lax. Then an organization must be educated on its regulations and policies, such policies must be implemented, and then a final audit of the organization must be done to ensure proper compliance has taken place. HIPAA is not just a goal to be reached, but a way to operate your business over time. MedAbiliti can provide the software, the system audit, and the training needed to ensure your organization is meeting the HIPAA requirements. Please contact us at hipaa@medabiliti.com for more information. See our recent press release [ http://www.medabiliti.com/release-Complete-HIPAA.html ] of February 24, 2003 for more information about how MedAbiliti can help you.

Modifications Made to the Transaction Standards and Code Sets

MedAbiliti

March 10, 2003

The Health and Human Services [ http://www.aspe.hhs.gov/admnsimp/ ] web site lists some modifications [ http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/C3-3876.htm ] that were made to the Feb. 20, 2003, Electronic Data Transaction Standards and Code Sets. These modifications are dated March 10, 2003.

All health care entities, and associated business partners, need to be aware of these changes in order to ensure compliance with these modified HIPAA rules.

How MedAbiliti Can Help: To become compliant with HIPAA, an audit of existing organization policies must be taken to see where transaction standards may be out of compliance with the revised rules. Once this gap analysis is done, modifications to existing systems can be made. Then an organization must be educated on its regulations and policies, such policies must be implemented, and then a final audit must be done to ensure proper compliance has taken place. HIPAA is not just a goal to be reached, but a way to operate your business over time. MedAbiliti can provide the software, the system audit, and the training needed to ensure your organization is meeting the HIPAA requirements. Please contact us at hipaa@medabiliti.com for more information. See our recent press release [ http://www.medabiliti.com/release-Complete-HIPAA.html ] of February 24, 2003 for more information about how MedAbiliti can help you.

About MedAbiliti

Medabiliti designs, develops, and deploys information solutions for the health care industry. MedAbiliti's approach to development is one that applies international quality assurance methods to application access, data analysis, and process efficiency. MedAbiliti's commitment to structured software methodology, software engineering practices, quality standards for data deployment/access, confidentiality and security of sensitive data, and commitment to customer-client management, position it as an emerging industry leader in medical software design and implementation.