3 things your dental practice needs to know about the HIPAA Omnibus Rule compliance deadline [VIDEO]

We are only a couple of weeks away from the next HIPAA compliance deadline. The HIPAA Omnibus Rule took effect March 26, 2013, with a compliance date of Sept. 23, 2013.

Are you ready?

Here are the top three things your dental practice needs to know ...

1. Your existing Business Associate Agreement will require some modifications and requires you to update the form with a new signature.

A Business Associate is anyone who “creates, receives, maintains or transmits Protected Health Information” on behalf of the covered entity (the dental office). There are also new rules with regards to the subcontractors of your Business Associate Agreements.

2. New language is required in your Privacy Notice which will mandate redistribution. The Omnibus Rule strengthens an individual’s rights when it comes to the disclosure of PHI with fundraising and marketing purposes and also allows individuals to restrict certain information to their health plans.

3. The Omnibus Rule adopts the additional changes to the HIPAA HITECH Act enhancements to the Enforcement Rule.

These rules incorporate the increased and tiered civil money penalty structure provided by the HITECH Act. You will now see more penalties for violation of patient privacy.

If you are already working with a company on your HIPAA compliance, you have probably already received updated information. Don’t let this go.

Educate yourself and be prepared. If you need information, check with your practice’s insurance company or check out www.hipaasurvivalguide.com.