While the Privacy Rule applies to various types of health information, the Security Rule only applies to electronic protected health information (ePHI). The major goal of the Security Rule is to ensure proper safeguards are in place for the storing, maintaining, and transmission of ePHI.
Q: A physician performed a pleural catheter flush using saline with manual clearance of clots under ultrasound guidance. Should we bill an E/M code for an outpatient office visit or report this using other CPT codes?
Q: The Office for Civil Righs (OCR) has settled its first case related to its Right of Access initiative. What is important to know about this from a security standpoint? Where are common security missteps with releasing information to patients upon request?
HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) should step up oversight of hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended in a recent report.
