It's time to get the recognition you deserve and put the focus on your department by celebrating National Case Management Week, scheduled this year October 12-18.
Some hospital case managers may be breathing a small sigh of relief because a provision in the 2015 OPPS proposed rule would, if finalized, put an end to a burdensome physician inpatient certification requirement for most patients.
The OCR continues to crack down on HIPAA breaches, but it also paused to take a look back at past incidents in two annual reports to Congress. The reports, which were released in May, summarize the reported 2011?2012 HIPAA breach and compliance activities as required by the HITECH Act. Although the data presented in the reports details the events from prior years, the causes of the breaches reported to and investigated by OCR are still relevant?and problematic?for healthcare organizations today.
The HIPAA Security Rule requires implementing risk management tools and techniques to adequately and effectively safeguard ePHI. Risk analysis and management provides the foundation for an organization's Security Rule compliance efforts, and reinforces its strategy to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of vital information.
CMS refined and updated its Comprehensive APC policy in the 2015 OPPS proposed rule released July 3, adding a new complexity adjustment factor. CMS also proposes significantly expanding the packaging of ancillary services. Additionally, the proposed rule includes a significant change to requirements related to inpatient physician certification.
