Archive for September 2018
How an Innocent Social Media Post Can Turn Into a HIPAA Violation
A Texas nurse recently learned that you don’t have to identify a patient by name to violate Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules. According to a number of published reports, the unidentified woman, who worked as an ICU/ER nurse, was fired from her job with Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston after posting about…
Read MoreOpioid Crackdown Nets South Florida Doctor as Efforts Intensify
A South Florida doctor is the latest to be sentenced for his role in the illegal distribution of opioids. Earlier this month, Dr. Andres Mencia of Fort Lauderdale was sentenced to more than six years in prison, after being convicted by a federal jury of taking part in a conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.…
Read MoreOIG Wants Input on Changes to Anti-kickback Statute and CMP
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General is looking for ways to encourage and incentivize coordinated care, without violating the Anti-kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties Law. The CMP imposes penalties against those who offer or transfer remuneration to a Medicare or state healthcare program beneficiary to influence the…
Read MoreOIG Takes Notice as Compound Drug Use Skyrockets
The cost of compounded topical drugs to the country’s Medicare program has skyrocketed over the past several years, and that’s gotten the attention of a government watchdog agency. In a recently released report, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that Medicare Part D spending for these drugs…
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