LEBANON, Pa., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- After April 14, 2004 if you are an employer offering group health benefits, there are many things that you are currently doing that will be in direct violation under HIPAA. Among these are:
* Not obtaining an executed Plan Sponsor's Plan Certification and Plan
Amendment acknowledging that your company's group health plan (GHP) is
HIPAA compliant and being administered in accordance with the HIPAA
Privacy Rules
* Not ensuring that your company's GHP protects the exchange of your
employees' protected health information (PHI).
* Not adopting HIPAA compliant Policies and Procedures in place to
protect the privacy of your employees' (PHI) in your company's GHP.
* Not informing your employees of their rights with respect to their GHP
PHI.
* Not keeping your employees' GHP information separate from their other
employee files.
* Not appointing a HIPAA privacy officer as required by HIPAA.
* Not training employees that handle GHP information protected by HIPAA.
If your company's group health plan is covered under HIPAA, it will be subject to government investigations and sanctions for HIPAA violations, including up to $250,000 in fines and 10 years in prison after the April 14, 2004 deadline.
HIPAA ToolKit for Health Plans, published by Wescott Professional Publications, provides easy-to-use tools and instructions to assist health plans in becoming and remaining HIPAA compliant. The kit includes:
* HIPAA Implementation Manual - provides an overview of the HIPAA
regulations, especially the Privacy Standards and how they affect
health plans; a step-by-step implementation plan; and customizable
policies and procedures and forms on disk and CD with detailed
instructions. Forms include a medical information notice, an
authorization, a business associate agreement and more.
* HIPAA Quick Reference - is an easy-to-use guide to the complex web of
law and regulations on HIPAA Privacy Standards written in an easy-to-
read format.
* HIPAA Training video - addresses "Frequently Asked Questions" and
information for the health plan manager and staff.
The price for the HIPAA ToolKit is only $495, which includes free shipping.
If you need further information or would like to order the HIPAA ToolKit, contact Kathaleen Lilley, CEO of Wescott Professional Publications, toll free at 866-379-9818.
Wescott Professional Publications, an affiliate of Duane Morris LLP, among the 100 largest law firms in the United States, provides educational products on legal topics for professionals and businesses.
Wescott Professional PublicationsCONTACT: Kathaleen Lilley, CEO of Wescott Professional Publications,+1-866-379-9818
