PTR PODCAST Episode 13: Pharmacy HIPAA Compliance interview with accreditation expert Jeff Hedges

Pharmacy HIPAA Compliancy & the increased concern for patient privacy in 2010: An interview with HIPAA Compliancy Expert & Consultant – Jeff Hedges   The importance of an independent pharmacy being HIPAA compliant is more relevant and important than ever before. With the signing of the HITECH Act as part of the federal stimulus plan pharmacy owners may be inspected for HIPAA violations at anytime. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act provides a tiered system for assessing the level of each HIPAA privacy violation and, therefore, its penalty: Tier A is for violations in which the offender didn’t realize he or she violated the Act and would have handled the matter differently if he or she had. This results in a $100 fine for each violation, and the total imposed for such violations cannot exceed $25,000 for the calendar year. Tier B is for violations due to reasonable cause, but not “willful neglect.” The result is a $1,000 fine for each violation, and the fines cannot exceed $100,000 for the calendar year. Tier C is for violations due to willful neglect that the organization ultimately corrected. The result is a $10,000 fine for each violation, and the fines cannot exceed $250,000 for the calendar year. Tier D is for violations of willful neglect that the organization did not correct. The result is a $50,000 fine for each violation, and the fines cannot exceed $1,500,000 for the calendar year. The HITECH Act also allows states’ attorneys general to levy fines and seek attorneys fees from covered entities on behalf of victims. Courts now have the ability to award costs, which they were previously unable to do. RJ Hedges & Associates will develop policies and procedures that incorporate your work practices; address Medicare Quality Standards; and meet the accreditation board’s requirements.   R. J. Hedges & Associates 978 Pumphouse Road New Florence, PA 15944 814-446-4176 Office 814-659-9989 Mobile Email: Jeff@RJHedges.com www.RJHedges.com     ·         will include policies and procedures that are required from other regulatory agencies (e.g. Fire and Safety; Fraud, Waste and Abuse, MSDS requirements)   ·         will provide computer based video training, addressing specific areas of the Medicare DMEPOS Quality Standard   ·         will prepare and assist you in the submission of your accreditation and Medicare applications   ·         There are no surprises, no writing of procedures, no upfront fees. Just a questionnaire to complete.   ·         100% accreditation success rate.   ·         Accreditation program is prepared in its entirety for your individual organization and is backed with train   ·         This accreditation program is prepared in its entirety for your individual organization and is backed with training, updates and expert support. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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