Q. We are an MRI facility, and our services are referral- based. Faxing MRI reports to referring providers after radiologist review is our standard procedure. Patients can schedule follow-up appointments with referring providers to obtain results of their MRI scans. Patients regularly request a copy of the report at the time of their MRI scans or within several days of the scan when they pick up a copy of MRI films.
Does HIPAA require us to provide patients a copy of the report even when the provider has not interpreted the report and image?
Most agree that the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will be a “game changer” in how physicians and their facilities will be reimbursed in the coming years.
HIM staff members have a lot on their plates right now, but one more looming deadline needs to be on their radar—the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will begin to enforce its Red Flags Rule June 1. Hospitals must have an identity theft prevention program in place by that date.
For years the demand for coders has exceeded supply, and for many possible reasons. This may be because coders do not think that salaries are commensurate with the knowledge, expectations, and stress. And coders often move on to other positions and do not make a career of coding.
