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    Welcome to the ClaimCare Medical Billing Blog. We strive to provide content that improves the overall quality of medical billing efforts across the US. If you have any specific topics that you would like to see addressed in this medical billing blog please post the topic in the Medical Billing Questions & Answers Forum. If you have an article that you would like considered for publication in the medical billing blog then please email your article to resources@claimcare.net.

    MEDICAL BILLING BLOG

    Provider Relief Fund Deadline Extended to August 3

    Posted by Carl Mays, ClaimCare President/CEO on Mon, Jul 27, 2020 @ 06:30 AM

    Provider Relief Fund Deadline Extended to August 3

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    It’s not too late to apply for financial emergency assistance from the Provider Relief Fund if you have not yet done so. The deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, August 3.

    For in-depth information from HHS about this extension, visit CARES Act. Included with the latest update on the application process is information about a webcast on Monday, July 27, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. ET.    

    You may also want to revisit an earlier ClaimCare blog concerning Four Options to Boost Your Practice’s Cash on Hand Balance.  

    Another site of interest in this matter is HealthCare Law Diagnosis.

    Meanwhile, we have discovered through our clients that some patients, especially senior adults, remain hesitant about going into a medical office or facility since COVID-19 is on the upswing in certain areas.

    Therefore, being proficient in telemedicine is still highly important. We have posted several earlier blogs regarding telemedicine, which include:

    Keep Revenue Flowing During Pandemic (03-27-20)

    Serving Patients Through Telemedicine (03-31-20)

    Update to Telemedicine (04-03-20)

    Also, regardless of the state in which you have your practice or facility, here is an informative and very extensive article by the Texas Medical Association about telemedicine and more.

     

    About ClaimCare ®                        

    ClaimCare has 30 years of medical billing experience. We have an established 100% USA-based medical billing team that has been assembled through a thorough pre-employment screening. All personnel participate in on-going training and strong process management to ensure they deliver only the highest quality medical billing services to clients.

    AwardclaimcareClaimCare has once again been named a “Top 10 Medical Billing and Coding Company.” The honor this time comes from MD Tech Review. The magazine’s Augmenting Medical Billing and Coding Operations article presents solid reasons why ClaimCare has been chosen for this 2019-2020 recognition.

    For more information, phone (855) 376-7631 toll-free, or contact sales@claimcare.net, or visit the ClaimCare Medical Billing Company website. We can assist your practice and/or facility in numerous ways, including complete certification processing

     

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    100% USA-Based HIPAA-Compliant Medical Billing Company

     

     

     

    Tags: HIPAA, best medical billing companies, telemedicine, CARES Act, Healthcare Cash Flow, Provider Relief Funds Extension

    10 Tips on How You Can Ensure Your Medical Billing Company is HIPAA Compliant

    Posted by Carl Mays on Thu, Jan 23, 2020 @ 10:30 AM

    10 Tips on How You Can Ensure Your Medical Billing Company is HIPAA CompliantAny medical billing company offering multiple services, combined with Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) consultation, should be Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant, especially when handling patient records and Protective Health Information (PHI). This is a must, as Electronic Health Records (EHRs) contain sensitive data that requires protection.

    This article will showcase the importance of PHI and how HIPAA can help in protecting it, highlighting the need to find a medical billing company that is HIPAA certified.

    Understanding the Importance of PHI

    PHI includes:

    • Demographic information
    • Test and laboratory results
    • Medical history
    • Insurance information
    • Mental health conditions
    • Other relevant information needed for appropriate health care treatment

    This explains in detail the information pertaining to an individual such as birthdate, health insurance claims, and medical conditions. It is sensitive patient information, which needs to be safeguarded.

    The Role of HIPAA in Securing and Protecting the PHI

    The moment an individual is born, or even during conception, his or her PHI is already entered into the EHR system. This refers to the following:

    • Length
    • Weight
    • Body temperature
    • Complications

    As a person ages, this data keeps on accumulating in the EHR system.

    The HIPAA oversees the use of this important information. It limits access to these details and regulates those who can have access to these files. Therefore, no one is allowed to sell the PHI unless it is for:

    • Research and treatment
    • Public health activities
    • Merger or acquisition of a HIPAA covered entity.

    Why Choose a HIPAA Compliant Medical Billing Company?

    Choosing a HIPAA compliant medical billing company guarantees that your PHI is always protected because they are legally bound to handle your data according to the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. They are also subject to HIPAA audits conducted by agencies such as the US Department of Health and Human Services.

    Failure to comply with HIPAA rules entails losing thousands, if not millions of dollars. Watch this video to learn more about HIPAA compliance:

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    Source

    How to Know if a Medical Billing Company is HIPAA Compliant?

    Medical billing companies that are HIPAA compliant have a physical network and process security measures in place. This means having technical and nontechnical safeguards that ensure an individual's EHR/electronic PHI is protected.

    Tips in Knowing if Your Medical Billing Company is HIPAA Compliant

    Medical billing companies who are compliant have the following:

    1. Regular training with their medical billing and coders to ensure everyone knows how to protect patient privacy.
    2. Medical billing software systems are well guarded against ransomware attacks and other online hacks.
    3. Follow HIPAA protocol on online information transfer that limits the patient information shared from one department to another.
    4. Limited facility access and control with authorized access in place.
    5. Established policies regarding the use and access of electronic media and workstations.
    6. Restrictions when disposing of, transferring, removing, and even re-using electronic media and ePHI.
    7. Unique user credentials, automatic log-off, encryption and decryption mechanisms, and emergency access procedures.
    8. Regular audit reports and tracking logs that are securely recorded on their hardware and software systems.
    9. Privacy policy notices in strategic locations of their office.
    10. Conduct the Mandatory Annual HIPAA Security Risk Assessment.

    For additional guarantee, ask them for HIPAA certification. Keep following our blog to learn more tips and updates regarding HIPAA compliance, as well as the latest trends and updates in the field of medical billing and credentialing.

    About ClaimCare

    ClaimCare is a HIPAA compliant medical billing company.

    ClaimCare, 100% USA-based, has once again been named a “Top 10 Medical Billing and Coding Company.” The honor this time comes from MD Tech Review. The magazine’s ‘Augmenting Medical Billing and Coding Operations’ article presents solid reasons why ClaimCare has been chosen for this recognition.

    For additional information, contact sales@claimcare.net, or phone toll-free at (855) 376-7631, or visit the ClaimCare Medical Billing website. We can assist your practice and/or facility in becoming HIPAA compliant. This includes improving your coding compliance and accuracy, as well as your documentation process.

     

     

     

    Tags: HIPAA, medical billing companies

    HIPAA Compliance: Feed the Shredder

    Posted by ClaimCare Resources on Tue, Jul 01, 2014 @ 12:19 PM

    Please take a moment and look around you. HIPAA Compliance

    Do you see a shred bin close to you?  Do you know where the shred bins are?  Have you been instructed by you Supervisor or Manager on what is to be disposed in the shred bins?  Shredding is a critical part of HIPAA Compliance.  Leaving documents where others can retrieve them, even if your intentions are good is a serious, and common, violation of HIPAA. 

    Such was the case recently for a severe HIPAA Privacy Rule violation. In September 2008, Parkview Health Systems took custody of medical records pertaining to approximately 5,000 to 8,000 patients while assisting the retiring physician to transition her patients to new providers,
    and while considering the possibility of purchasing some of the physician’s practice.

    On June 4, 2009, Parkview employees, with notice that the physician was not at home, left 71 cardboard boxes of these medical records unattended and accessible to unauthorized persons on the driveway of the physician’s home, within 20 feet of the public road and a short distance away from a heavily trafficked public shopping venue. As a covered entity under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Parkview must appropriately and reasonably safeguard all protected health
    information in its possession, from the time it is acquired through its disposition.

    Parkview cooperated with OCR throughout its investigation. On June 23, 2014, a settlement was reached. In addition to the $800,000 resolution amount, the settlement includes a corrective action plan requiring Parkview to revise their policies and procedures, train staff, and provide an implementation report to OCR. A card board box, full of patient information where the public could have retrieved it.  Pretty expensive box!

    “All too often we receive complaints of records being discarded, left unattended, or transferred in a manner that puts patient information at risk,” said Christina Heide, acting deputy director of health information privacy at OCR. “It is imperative that HIPAA covered entities and their business associates protect patient information during its transfer and disposal.”

    Have you made sure that you have pre-shred documents placed securely? Do you leave information sitting out where others could see it, take it, or use it in a manner that is not intended?  You may have a box near your desk where you put items that need to be shredded. Be diligent and make sure that those boxes aren't left for others to see. Empty it throughout the day.

    The one thing no one needs is an $800,000 mistake wrapped in a card-board box.

    Feed the shredder! 

    About ClaimCare, Inc.

    ClaimCare Medical Billing Services stands out from the crowd of medical billing companies. ClaimCare offers a complete medical billing solution, has the only service level guarantee in the industry, offers best-of-breed technology, an air tight medical billing process, actionable reporting and broad experience and can work on its clients' medical billing systems. For more information contact ClaimCare Medical Billing Services by email at sales@claimcare.net , by phone at (877) 440-3044 or visit the ClaimCare Medical Billing Company website.

    Copyright 2009, Carl Mays II and the ClaimCare Medical Billing Company

     

    Tags: HIPAA, Compliance

    HIPAA Compliance: Are you Ready for September 23rd?

    Posted by ClaimCare Resources on Wed, Sep 18, 2013 @ 02:03 PM

    HIPAA complianceGuess what day it is? No, it’s not hump day….it is HIPAA Day! Some providers are taken by surprise! Some practices are under the false impression that they are HIPAA Compliant.  Sadly, we are finding more and more that this is not the case.

    September 23rd is the deadline to ensure that your practice is prepared for the finalized MEGA RULE and HI-TECH Regulations. Numerous updates and changes are required of covered entities. Have you updated your manuals,
    the NPP (Notice of Privacy Practices), and all BAA’s (Business Associate Agreements)? Are you aware that the rules governing notifications for marketing and fundraising requirements have changed?  Are you ready? Did you know that if you are found to be NON-compliant, there are strict fines and penalties? 

    Are you ready to start the requirement for reporting disclosures to HHS? Do you know what limitations have been applied to that ruling? The HIPAA HITECH, Mega Rule comes with more audits, hefty fines and penalties and not only will it impact YOUR practice, but the impact reaches to all of your business associates. Do your providers use mobile devices such as laptops, I-phones, tablets, or other access that is considered remote access? Think about it!  September 23rd is just around the
    corner. So many questions!  Do you have the answers? If you do not feel prepared for the September 23rd deadline or the new, stricter HIPAA rules, there are many resources available to help you get where you need to be. If you have questions or need assistance, let us know. We have a team that can help get you HIPAA compliant quickly.

    About ClaimCare, Inc.

     ClaimCare Medical Billing Services stands out from the crowd of medical billing companies. ClaimCare offers a complete medical billing solution, has the only service level guarantee in the industry, offers best-of-breed technology, an air tight medical billing process, actionable reporting and broad experience and can work on its clients' medical billing systems. For more information contact ClaimCare Medical Billing Services by email at sales@claimcare.net , by phone at (877) 440-3044 or visit the ClaimCare Medical Billing Company website.

     

    Tags: general medical billing questions, HIPAA, Compliance, medical billing resources

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