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CMS offers guidance on HIPAA security rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released guidance to help organizations comply with HIPAA security standards when they allow remote access to electronic protected health information (EPHI) through portable devices or external systems or hardware.
Entities covered by HIPAA should be "extremely cautious," CMS said, about allowing offsite use of or access to EPHI , and must implement policies and procedures to protect EPHI that is stored on remote or portable devices/media or transmitted over an electronic communications network.
The agency said it may rely on the guidance in determining whether actions by a HIPAA-covered entity are reasonable and appropriate for safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of EPHI.
On-line NPI information available through WEDI
Health care providers can receive free on-line information about the National Provider Identifier (NPI) in the form of on-demand audio and video web casts.
The service is being offered by the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to help educate providers on how to obtain and implement their NPI by the May 23, 2007, deadline, according to a WEDI statement.
Only about 60% of providers had obtained their NPI by the beginning of 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates. All entities covered by HIPAA, including providers, health plans, and clearinghouses that process health care transactions using HIPAA format, must implement the 10-digit NPI code by the May 23 deadline.
Two 60-minute webcast audio or video sessions are available: one for large practices or institutional providers, and a second version tailored for individual providers or small group practices. The webcasts, which include PowerPoint materials, cover these topics:
- Who Needs an NPI?
- The Application Process
- Obtaining and Sharing NPIs
- NPI and Paper Claim Submitters
- Provider Practice Considerations and Impacts
- Resources and General Questions
In addition to offering the webcasts, WEDI's NPI Outreach Initiative will respond on an ongoing basis to questions submitted via the Q&A feature of the webcast sessions.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released guidance to help organizations comply with HIPAA security standards; and Health care providers can receive free on-line information about the National Provider Identifier (NPI) in the form of on-demand audio and video web casts.Subscribe Now for Access
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