03/11/2010
The Health IT Policy Committee's strategic planning work group recently discussed how to strengthen health IT privacy while also promoting research. Members suggested allowing consumers to decide how to share their health data. InformationWeek, Federal Computer Week.
03/05/2010
A recent study found that doctors who use BitTorrent, LimeWire or other file-sharing applications on their computers might unintentionally expose their patients' health and financial information. Researchers say the study is the first to examine the way personal health information is disclosed through file-sharing applications. Montreal Gazette, Healthcare IT News.
03/04/2010
Experts say medical identity theft is dangerous because it can lead health care providers to record inaccurate information in a patient's chart. The cases usually involve the misuse of another patient's name, Social Security number or insurance card. NPR's "Morning Edition."
03/02/2010
HHS is not using a new Web site for health privacy breaches to provide the kind of details about the lapses that would be most useful to consumers, according to columnist David Lazarus. The stimulus package requires HHS to post the data. Los Angeles Times.
02/24/2010
HHS' Office for Civil Rights has posted online a list of entities that have reported breaches of protected health information affecting more than 500 individuals. Privacy provisions in the federal economic stimulus package impose the requirement. Health Data Management et al.
02/22/2010
HHS has announced a new contract focused on improving cybersecurity and reducing risks associated with health IT initiatives. The agency first will offer the contract to current HHS contractors, but could provide other companies with opportunities to participate. Healthcare IT News.
02/09/2010
At a HIPAA summit last week, several participants said the 'harm threshold' allows health care organizations to avoid data breach notifications that could unnecessarily alarm patients. Some stakeholders and members of Congress have concerns about the standard. HealthLeaders Media.
02/08/2010
This week, New Hampshire legislators are scheduled to hear a
bill that would provide patients with greater control over their electronic
health records. The measure aims to restore state protections that existed
prior to the 2003 federal HIPAA privacy rules. Laconia Citizen.
02/05/2010
Sue McAndrew of HHS' Office of Civil Rights said health care business associates might need to pay OCR directly for violations of the HIPAA privacy and security rules. McAndrew said OCR might waive some penalties under certain circumstances. HealthLeaders Media.
02/04/2010
A new survey from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics finds that more than half of U.S. adults use the Internet to research health information. Fewer Americans went online to e-mail physicians, refill prescriptions or schedule medical appointments. Researchers also found that women were more likely than men to use the Internet for health-related purposes. Reuters, MedPage Today.
02/01/2010
Several medical associations recently sent a letter asking the Federal Trade Commission to exempt health care professionals from the "Red Flags" rule requiring businesses to take specific steps to safeguard against identity theft. Health Data Management, HealthLeaders Media.
01/28/2010
New federal regulations require health care providers to provide patients with electronic copies of their health records within 48 hours of a request. Stakeholders disagree about how much information the health care providers should disclose. Huffington Post Investigative Fund.
01/26/2010
After an October theft, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has spent more than $7 million to assess the missing data and provide credit monitoring for affected members. The insurer said it might have to spend millions more as the investigation continues. Chattanooga Times Free Press.
01/26/2010
The privacy-focused Ponemon Institute has released a survey indicating that respondents were more comfortable with the idea of health care providers storing and having access to their electronic health records than either government agencies or technology firms. Forbes.
01/25/2010
In the latest generation of e-mail scams, hackers are posing as insurers, IT administrators and other trusted sources to request passwords and other information. Experts advise several strategies to prevent such scams from exposing patient data. American Medical News.