AMA Produces Toolkit for New HIPAA Changes
It will help physicians cope with the tougher environment after revisions take effect Sept. 23, 2013, according to the organization.
The American Medical Association released a new toolkit this week that is intended to help to help physicians cope with changes to the federal privacy and security rules for health information that go into effect on Sept. 23, 2013, based on an HHS final rule in January 2013 that revises and extends required safeguards for protected health information established under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, known as HIPAA. The rule expands patients’ individual rights and tightens requirements on physicians when patient information is breached.
"Understanding the implications of the modified privacy rule can be daunting for busy physician practices," said AMA President Ardis Dee Hoven, M.D. "The AMA stands ready with expert resources and effective tips that will help physicians meet the new requirements for protecting highly sensitive patient information as more data becomes digitalized."
AMA said physicians, who can obtain the toolkit free from this AMA website, will need revised privacy notices to share with patients and new agreements with business associates who handle patients’ data, so updated templates of these important are provided.