HIPAA AND FEES FOR MEDICAL RECORDS – Updated OCR guidance sets limits.

Physicians and other HIPAA covered entity providers are familiar with HIPAA’s rule on fees that may be charged when individuals request copies of their medical records. The federal Office of Civil Rights (OCR), the enforcement agency for the HIPAA Privacy Rule, recently released updated guidance directives on when fees may be imposed and limitations on costs that may be included in assessing such fees. Medical practices, especially those with separate HIPAA and non-HIPAA medical record fee schedules, may be surprised at what the OCR is now saying.Continue Reading HIPAA and Fees For Medical Records

Apple Watch at Brick Gentry P.C.
Apple Watch at Brick Gentry P.C.

Apple Watch, HIPAA, and Mobile Healthcare Industry.

When one of our more tech savvy partners recently showed us his new Apple Watch, it instinctively raised questions as to how would HIPAA regulate its use. One possible answer is that the features of this new Apple Watch may be the linchpin to a whole new culture in the mobile health industry.Continue Reading Peeling Back the Apple Watch

Iowa Behavioral Health Association Hosts Jeanine Freeman & Paul Drey

HIPAA presentations for IBHA by Paul Drey, Jeanine Freeman
Paul Drey, Jeanine Freeman present HIPAA education to Iowa Behavioral Health Association.

On July 23rd the Iowa Behavioral Health Association (IBHA), Iowa’s statewide association of substance use disorder agencies, addiction treatment programs and community mental health centers, hosted prominent

The Iowa Board of Medicine (IBM), at its April 3, 2015 meeting, approved a final rule setting forth disciplinary standards applicable to physicians who use telemedicine in diagnosing and treating patients located in Iowa.

That rule also includes standards and prohibitions that all physician licensees must comply with in providing patient care whether by telemedicine

UPDATE: Subsequent to this post the IBM has adopted the Telemedicine Rule. See our page dedicated to Telemedicine for all related articles, including our most current post.

The Iowa Board of Medicine Amends Its Proposed Telemedicine Rule – Final Adoption Slated for the IBM’s April 3 Pubic Meeting

The Iowa Board of Medicine (IBM) has

Physician Practices Must Remain Vigilant in Responding to Subpoenas for Mental Health Information

Review of In the Interest of A.M. v. Thomas, Iowa Supreme Court, November 21, 2014

Summary. In a case it calls one of first impression, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld a subpoena to compel the testimony of a psychotherapist regarding the

The October 24, 2014 posting (last in this series) addresses practical considerations for physicians using telemedicine, in meeting several of the proposed rule’s requirements as well as the proposed rule’s specific requirements re: financial interests, links to internet sites, prohibited relationships with preferred pharmacies, and prohibited internet transactions for prescribing controlled substances.

Requirements (standards) for

The October 23, 2014 post addresses the proposed rule’s requirement for disclosures and functionality of telemedicine services and other provisions of the proposed rule that may be less the responsibility of physicians who use telemedicine and more the responsibilities of entities that purchase, offer and maintain telemedicine equipment and services.

Disclosures and functionality of telemedicine