Re: Unnecessary BAAs

2003-11-07 Thread Doug Webb
Rachel, Consider how much PHI the facility has acquired from the DME provider while offering the services specified in the BAA to the DME provider (none!).  PHI acquired by other means is not affected by this particular BAA.  The notification of breaches, and accountable disclosures, etc. on

Re: Post-enrollment kits

2003-11-10 Thread Doug Webb
Diana, With respect to Privacy, your mailer would be equivalent to a sealed envelope IF the layout was such that no PHI were visable without breaking one of your seals.   Now with respect to Security, it seems to be pretty weak security.  I would not recommend this as a long-term solution.  

Re: HIPAA-related privacy question (I think)

2002-10-22 Thread Doug Webb
--- You are currently subscribed to wedi-privacy as: archive@jab.org To unsubscribe from this list, go to the Subscribe/Unsubscribe form at http://subscribe.wedi.org or send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you need to unsubscribe but your current email address is not the same as the addres

Re: Parent Inquiries and HIPAA

2003-01-14 Thread Doug Webb
Chris, That would be my take, too..   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers[EMAIL PROTECTED]   "This electronic message may contain information that is conf

Re: HIPAA privacy and telephone

2003-01-17 Thread Doug Webb
An extension to this -- how do you handle answering machines? My gut feeling is that either a no-no (the machine more questionable than a family member) -- the information could only be released to the patient or his/her representative designated in a written authorizaton. Perhaps another signa

Re: Business Associates

2003-01-22 Thread Doug Webb
Traci, It looks to me like someone's trying to cover all bases with a shotgun approach (run it up the flagpole and see who salutes) .   My understanding is that you wouldn't need a BAC any more than a surgeon's office needs one with a Primary Care Physician referring a patient to them.  This

Re: to sign or not to sign

2003-01-22 Thread Doug Webb
Traci, My vote's for the round file. Any lawyers out there feel free to chime in.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers[EMAIL PROTECTED]   "This electroni

Re: to sign or not to sign

2003-01-23 Thread Doug Webb
Leslie, In general, I agree. The vendor is attempting to reduce the load on ITS legal staff by getting its customers to sign their version of the BAA before their cusomers write their own. You will have to have a BAA in place with most of these entities. It doesn't matter who originates the ag

Re: Covered Entity or not

2003-02-03 Thread Doug Webb
Susan, Well said.   Still another kink -- come October, you will have to file your Medicare claims electronically, which makes the loopholes even smaller.   IMHO, this makes just about anyoune who does "Health Care" a CE, except for those few providers who do a strictly cash business, and nev

Fw: Covered Entity or not

2003-02-03 Thread Doug Webb
from any computer, do not deliver, distribute, or copy this message, and do not disclose its contents or take action in reliance on the information it contains. Thank you."     - Original Message - From: Mendel, Linda R. To: 'Doug Webb' Sent: Monday, Febru

Fw: Covered Entity or not

2003-02-03 Thread Doug Webb
not an intended recipient of the message, please notify the sender immediately,  delete the material from any computer, do not deliver, distribute, or copy this message, and do not disclose its contents or take action in reliance on the information it contains. Thank you."     - Original

Re: Business Associates Agreements

2003-02-04 Thread Doug Webb
The Billing Companies won't need to ensure any BAAs are in place unless someone out there acts on behalf of the Billing Company rather than on behalf of the Covered Entity (Provider) [CUSTOMER!] Their Customers will need BAAs in place with the following: * The Billing Company * A Collection

Re: Business Associates Agreements

2003-02-05 Thread Doug Webb
Brenda, As Noel pointed out, not quite. They may be a CE in addition to being a BA, but, because they perform a function (billing) for the Provider, they are a BA of the provider. If their functionality includes anything outside of obtaining non-standard claims information, generating standard

Re: Business Associates Agreements

2003-02-05 Thread Doug Webb
> William J. Kammerer > Novannet, LLC. > Columbus, US-OH 43221-3859 > +1 (614) 487-0320 > > - Original Message - > From: "Doug Webb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "WEDI SNIP Privacy Workgroup List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Cc: <[EMAIL

Re: Recording Disclosures (was BA Agreement Questions)

2003-02-10 Thread Doug Webb
Title: RE: Recording Disclosures (was BA Agreement Questions) I also agree with Carolyn.   An external Auditor would be a BA if (and only if) YOU hired the firm to perform audits for YOUR business purposes, and the auditor had to access to PHI in order to perform the audits.   Government overs

Re: NPP and accounting for disclosures - was Medicare audits: operations?

2003-02-14 Thread Doug Webb
Noel, Quite so. As you said, quite a few emails seem to overlook that the Authorization to do a certian disclosure and the actual disclosure are two separate actions and need to be addressed independantly. Don't forget that the acknowledgment of receipt of your NPP is not an Authorization for

Re: NPP and accounting for disclosures - was Medicare audits: op erations?

2003-02-14 Thread Doug Webb
on. > > Molly Shek, MS, RHIA > > > > > -Original Message- > From: Doug Webb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 8:47 AM > To: WEDI SNIP Privacy Workgroup List > Subject: Re: NPP and accounting for disclosures - was Medicare

Fw: NPP and accounting for disclosures - was Medicare audits: op erations?

2003-02-14 Thread Doug Webb
d recipient of the message, please notify the sender immediately, delete the material from any computer, do not deliver, distribute, or copy this message, and do not disclose its contents or take action in reliance on the information it contains. Thank you." - Original Message

Re: Home and Offsite Use of PHI

2003-02-18 Thread Doug Webb
Rebecca, That is precisely the point. PHI that leaves the office by any means must still be protected to the same level as the office information, and it is much more difficult to do, because you do not have the same control over the off-site environment. Therefore, your policies need to be con

Re: Question

2003-02-19 Thread Doug Webb
Carolyn, Jonathah's question was about the need for encryption on a dial-up line. For detailed discussions, he should see the Security listserv. Generally, though, a direct dial-in connection to a receiver's system (not via the Internet) would be considered an acceptable risk if you trust the r

Re: Are we a CE

2003-02-20 Thread Doug Webb
Robin, Your office definiately is a Covered Entity.   That one electronic transaction that the billing service does on your behalf makes you so.  (Incidenteally, if you ever do an on-line check of eligibility or claim status, those actions would also make you a CE).   This means that you need

Re: Nursing Homes and Ambulance Services

2003-02-21 Thread Doug Webb
Title: Message Kathy, The Nursing Home and Ambulance Service would both be Covered Entities if they do any of the covered functions electronically.  Business Associates are entities who do something on behalf of a Covered Entity.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily th

Re: DOL vs. HIPAA

2003-02-21 Thread Doug Webb
Title: DOL vs. HIPAA Agree. Subject to the restriction that whatever is disclosed for any purpose be only the minimum necessary for that purpose (which applys to all disclosures indipendant of the medium).   Remember that the great difficulty in giving out info over the phone is making that w

Re: Need for Business Associate Agreements

2003-02-21 Thread Doug Webb
Beth, The new Security reg does indicate that MOUs take the place of BAAs if both are government entities.  If one of the partys is, and one isn't, I don't know.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle C

Re: BA contracts

2003-02-24 Thread Doug Webb
Robyn, 1) The term of the BA contract is as long as it itself states. 2) Other than using another entity, I'm not sure.  You are responsible for whatever PHI they leak, unless you have that contract in place makeing them responsible for their actons. 3) I think your list covers everything, bu

Re: BA Agreement

2003-02-24 Thread Doug Webb
Kristen, As near as I can tell, no  BAA is needed. The Parmacist is a Covered Entity acting on his own bahalf. As long as you're not told the content of the bags, I don't believe that you're even exposed to any PHI, even for the purposes of payment.   The opinions expressed here are my own an

Re: Are dieticians Business Associates?

2003-02-25 Thread Doug Webb
Vikas, The Dietician would be performing Treatment duties, and thus be a Covered Entity if he does any electronic transactions that have HIPAA standards.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company o

Re: medical vendors as Business Associates

2003-02-26 Thread Doug Webb
Jill, I agree with Dan.   The critical question is do you do anything on behalf of a Covered Entity that involves PHI?  If this answer is "No", you do not need a BAA.   Providing devices to non-patients isolates you from PHI.   Providing devices to patients is acting on behalf of yourself (I

Re: medical vendors as Business Associates

2003-02-26 Thread Doug Webb
information it contains. Thank you."     - Original Message - From: Dawn Lenox To: Doug Webb Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 09:37 AM Subject: Re: medical vendors as Business Associates I tried to explain this to a vendor that sent us (CE) their BA (n

Re: medical vendors as Business Associates

2003-02-26 Thread Doug Webb
Thank you."     - Original Message - From: Vicki Schaff To: Doug Webb Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 10:53 AM Subject: Re: medical vendors as Business Associates Consider the vendor who supplies a new medical device to a healthcare facility (CE) and

Re: medical vendors as Business Associates

2003-02-26 Thread Doug Webb
cial position is of your facility on this?  Thanks.   Regards,   David Frenkel Business Development GEFEG USA Global Leader in Ecommerce Tools 612-237-1966 -Original Message-From: Doug Webb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Re: medical vendors as Business Associates

2003-02-26 Thread Doug Webb
t deliver, distribute, or copy this message, and do not disclose its contents or take action in reliance on the information it contains. Thank you."     - Original Message - From: Craig Moen To: 'Doug Webb' Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 03:28 PM Subject

Re: medical vendors as Business Associates

2003-02-26 Thread Doug Webb
inal Message-From: Doug Webb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 2:53 PMTo: David Frenkel; WEDI SNIP Privacy Workgroup ListSubject: Re: medical vendors as Business Associates   David, They do, but I'm not directly involved, so I

Re: medical vendors as Business Associates

2003-02-27 Thread Doug Webb
in reliance on the information it contains. Thank you."     - Original Message - From: Jo Clair To: 'Doug Webb' Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 04:17 PM Subject: RE: medical vendors as Business Associates Not all providers are CE's (

Re: Questions in regard to Security/Privacy

2003-02-27 Thread Doug Webb
Richard, The first question is: Is what is being transmitted Protected Healthcare Information?  If not all the rest is moot.  If what is being transmitted is strictly the financial data (This merchant charged this person this much), it probably isn't PHI, but just money.   If it is you must d

Re: Questions in regard to Security/Privacy

2003-02-27 Thread Doug Webb
Catherine, Just a clarification. These non-financial POS terminals would have to use standard transactions (such as 270/271, 278, etc.) to do their job when a standard is available.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer Sys

Re: Questions in regard to Security/Privacy

2003-02-27 Thread Doug Webb
Richard, http://www.wpc-edi.com   has all the Implimentation Guides and Addenda available for download.   The big thing is that if there is a 004010-series IG for what you're doing, you have to use it, and any provider who uses one of your terminals is a Covered Entity, and subject to the ful

Re: medical vendors as Business Associates

2003-02-28 Thread Doug Webb
te the cost of the lack of clarity of HIPAA.   Regards,   David Frenkel Business Development GEFEG USA Global Leader in Ecommerce Tools www.gefeg.com 612-237-1966 -Original Message-----From: Doug Webb [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, Februa

Re: PHI In Mail

2003-02-28 Thread Doug Webb
Title: Glacier Likewise.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers[EMAIL PROTECTED]   "This electronic message may contain information that is confidential an

Re: Custodial parent rights to minor's PHI

2003-02-28 Thread Doug Webb
Steve, The Court rulings in the individual case would determine which parent(s) have access to how much PHI.  There may also be State laws that override a decree from a different State.   In general, the custodial parent has primary responsibility for the child's healthcare, but in Family Cou

Re: Another thread on Security/Privacy question

2003-02-28 Thread Doug Webb
Chistine, I'll give it a shot. My comments are below your questions.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers[EMAIL PROTECTED]   "This electronic message may

Re: Clarification of Question re: who is the "originator" of PHI?

2003-03-04 Thread Doug Webb
Jill, I think that the question revolves around who was responsible for generating and maintaining the original report (i.e., who has the master, and who has a copy).   If the Physical Therapist maintains his/her own records, the therapist's copy is probably the master, and thus must be where

Re: Fundraising Question

2003-03-05 Thread Doug Webb
Patricia, Your NPP should state that PHI will not be used for these purposes.  A opt out isn't necessary when nobody,s in.   To clarify things for your patients, you may wish to mention that the foundation uses independantly-generated lists that contain no PHI.   The opinions expressed here a

Re: JCAHO BAA

2003-03-05 Thread Doug Webb
Teri, In theory, yes.  In practice, they're the 800-pound gorilla.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers[EMAIL PROTECTED]   "This electronic message may c

Re: mail filtering

2003-03-06 Thread Doug Webb
Mimi, Not only yours!  If this is naive, then so am I.   William's point was that the exaunt content-based filters DO NOT WORK, either because they are mis-configured, or are inappropriate to be used on healthcare-related conversations.   Encryption and E-signing need to be established on a

Re: CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT CODES

2003-03-07 Thread Doug Webb
Dee, Yes, only the codes on the list may be used on a Complient claim.  This applies now.  CMS stated in the Federal Register that they won't enforce until October.   You can get the list from WPC. http://www.wpc-edi.com/ClaimAdjustment_40.asp   Also, the Remark codes are at http://www.wpc-e

Re: OCHA Answer and Disclosure Question

2003-03-07 Thread Doug Webb
One further thought on Noel's ideas.   If there is a requirement that each member of an OHCA have its own Privacy Officer, I don't believe that this Privacy Officer has to be a unique individual for each member, so that the same person could be the Privacy Officer for the group.  I think that

Re: BA contract with Reps

2003-03-11 Thread Doug Webb
I think that since this is a total opt-in, if your sign-up form had the company clearly identified, and spaces for address, it would no more be PHI than the same form in a supermarket (which I have seen, even filled out a few when my daughter was on the way [15 years ago]).    It gets a litt

Re: Facility Directory

2003-03-13 Thread Doug Webb
Donald, I agree with your opinion that you don't have to ask, but a check-off line in the sign-in form would be nice.  It would also document that the option had indeed been offered, and since, in this game, documentation is everything, that would be a Good Thing.   The opinions expressed her

Re: Security Requirements

2003-03-13 Thread Doug Webb
Daryn, Yes.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers[EMAIL PROTECTED]   "This electronic message may contain information that is confidential and/or legally

Re: Filing deadline for complaints

2003-03-14 Thread Doug Webb
Amen, Cindi!   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers[EMAIL PROTECTED]   "This electronic message may contain information that is confidential and/or legally

Re: Displaying Data in web browser... Indefinitely..

2003-03-17 Thread Doug Webb
IMHO, Yes, it is a violation, but not yours.  The client who accessed the web site is guilty of the violation unless the proper protection is taken to blank the screen at the client's site.  You might offer a process to blank the web screen after it has been displayed for a certain interval

Re: Displaying Data in web browser. Indefinitely.

2003-03-17 Thread Doug Webb
Gregory, You make a good point.  If the Patient is accessing his/her own data, you are not respnsible for what he/she does with it.    If it's a CE or BA of a CE accessing Patient data, the CE is responsible for ensuring Privacy.  Offering a process to make the CE's task easier might make goo

Re: Another NPP question

2003-03-19 Thread Doug Webb
Craig, I agree with your position.  I think that a signed document needs at least one full signature.  Having that full signature and date, I would think that initials other places should be OK (they work for the money people).   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the

Re: Billing Services with Contractors

2003-03-19 Thread Doug Webb
Daniel, 1) Billing Services are Business Associates of Providers.  Because of what they do, if they work with standard transactions, they may also be considered a Covered Entity Clearinghouse (converting [highly] non-standard data to standard transactions, and vice versa).   2) An entity tha

Re: BA v Trading Partner Agreements

2003-03-20 Thread Doug Webb
Jonathan, A Trading Partner Agreement is a general contract between two entities who do business with each other.   A Busininess Associate Agreement is a Trading Partner Agreement that specificly includes wording to protect any Protected Healthcare Information that may be  exchanged, and that

Re: New to this list, have two questions.

2003-03-24 Thread Doug Webb
Title: RE: New to this list, have two questions. Deborah, I agree. Your short answer to 2) was "No".  I'll add another two roles (only one of which has a "Yes answer).   If what they're discussing is actively participating in a Treatment Plan, then the Case Manager would be a potential Covered

Re: Paper Claim Requirements

2003-03-24 Thread Doug Webb
Daryl, The TCS standard applies to electronic claims only.  Paper claims are not affected  Because the payer's systems will have to work with the data content of Complient claims, the paper claim will probably have to be modified by each payer to contain the data they need.  This means busin

Re: New to this list, have two questions.

2003-03-24 Thread Doug Webb
Title: RE: New to this list, have two questions. Gregory, Just to amplify on Judith's remarks, You are exposed to the risk NOW, not when the final Security Rule fully kicks in. You are accepting a huge risk anytime you expose PHI to the Internet.  Remenber that any of the millions of computers

Fw: New to this list, have two questions.

2003-03-25 Thread Doug Webb
from any computer, do not deliver, distribute, or copy this message, and do not disclose its contents or take action in reliance on the information it contains. Thank you."     - Original Message - From: Gregory Park To: Doug Webb Sent: Monday, March 24, 2003 03:22 PM

Re: Separating financial and clinical data

2003-03-25 Thread Doug Webb
Noel, I don't know of anything that requires financial and medical info to be separated (or merged).  I believe that the regs are silent on this issue.  Both types of information are PHI.  They would both be part of the Designated Record Set for the practice.    If the records are electronic

Re: section 164.514(d)(3)(iii)(B)

2003-03-26 Thread Doug Webb
Leslie, To build on what Leah said, I think that what you have in your NPP is OK, but possibly goes into unnecessary detail (Don't kill any more trees!).   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company o

Re: section 164.514(d)(3)(iii)(B)

2003-03-26 Thread Doug Webb
Dan, I had overlooked Leslie's mention of requiring authorization after it hits Medical Records.    I agree with you that authorization is not necessary for sending medical info for Treatment purposes to another Physician.  I would think that the older the information, the more questions I w

Re: NPP and Disclosure

2003-03-27 Thread Doug Webb
Gregory, Your client is wrong.  Accounting for Every disclosure if definately not required by the Privacy or Security regs.  Most transactions involving the Treatment of Patients and obtaining Payment are explicitly excluded from the need to report them (in very great detail as to what is ex

Re: NPP and Disclosure

2003-03-27 Thread Doug Webb
ce on the information it contains. Thank you."     - Original Message - From: Bentz-Miller, Judith To: 'Doug Webb' Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 02:03 PM Subject: RE: NPP and Disclosure Doug, What about releasing the incorrect information?  Faxing the wrong

Re: Multiagency authorizations

2003-03-28 Thread Doug Webb
Title: Message Gregory There is a difference between compound authorizations (one authorization for several things, which is prohibited) and several authorizations on the same piece of paper (which is OK, just so long as each one has an indication that it was individually considered).  To mak

Re: Receipt of PHI

2003-03-28 Thread Doug Webb
Marcus, The Covered Entity is the one taking the risk here, not you.  You do not have responsibility for the PHI until it enters your system.   Some hungry lawyer may try to put some responsibility on your door, since you did not not refuse to accept unencrypted information.  I don't think t

Re: developing pictures

2003-04-04 Thread Doug Webb
Noel, I agree with the thrust of the earlier thread on this list -- the additional inscription makes it PHI.   I just had a thought, though.  Could the autographed picture itself be a kind of authorization for use?  I know it's not on a document that has the proper words, but could the intent

Re: Collection Accts.

2003-10-30 Thread Doug Webb
Leslie, Thank you for a timely and well-written analysis.   So many bad things happen when HIPAA is mis-read to restrict information exchange it really isn't restrict. The "may" in the regulations also opens a can of worms, but it has to be emphasized that if the release that HIPAA says may

Re: Collection Accts.

2003-10-30 Thread Doug Webb
iver, distribute, or copy this message, and do not disclose its contents or take action in reliance on the information it contains. Thank you."     - Original Message ----- From: Wellons, David L To: 'Doug Webb' ; WEDI SNIP Privacy Workgroup List Sent: Thurs

Re: Use of the Privacy Notice

2003-10-31 Thread Doug Webb
Catherine, You have to give them an opportunity to opt out.   The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily the opinion of LCMH.   Douglas M. WebbComputer System EngineerLittle Company of Mary Hospital & Health Care Centers[EMAIL PROTECTED]   "This electronic message may contain i