Transcript
Episode 409: The Forthcoming Return of Random HIPAA Audits Transcript
Liath Dalton
You’re listening to Group Practice Tech, a podcast by Person Centered Tech, where we help mental health group practice owners ethically and effectively leverage tech to improve their practices. I’m your co host Evan Dumas. And
Liath Dalton
I’m Liath Dalton and we are Person Centered Tech. This episode is brought to you by Therapy Notes. Therapy Notes is a robust online Practice Management and Electronic Health Record system to support you in growing your thriving practice. Therapy Notes is a complete practice management system with all the functionality you need to manage client records. Meet with clients remotely, create rich documentation, schedule appointments, and bill insurance all right at your fingertips. To get two free months of Therapy Notes as a new Therapy Notes user, go to therapynotes.com and use promo code PCT.
Evan Dumas
Hello and welcome to Episode 409: The Forthcoming Return of Random HIPAA Audits.
Liath Dalton
Ah yes, the random HIPAA audit program, which kind of led previously to this sense that there was in fact a HIPAA police.
Evan Dumas
Haha.
Liath Dalton
Which, if you have been part of the PCT community for any extended period of time, you have heard us say that there is no such thing as the HIPAA police. And that is still the case with this. And the audit program when it was in place, which it first was in place in 2012. And then again, there was a two year period of these random HIPAA audits being done in 2016 and 2017.
Liath Dalton
It has been totally dormant since the end of 2017. But we would say that the purpose of that audit program was not to be the HIPAA police but to discover where there are gaps in compliance so that they can be addressed. Not with the primary purpose being penalties or punitive consequences. But just because the audit program is considered to be something that’s supportive of understanding where there are gaps and identifying what’s necessary to address them.
Evan Dumas
Mhmm.
Evan Dumas
Mhmm.
Liath Dalton
Which leads us to where we are now, which is that in the middle of February, on February 12, Health and Human Services published a notice in the Federal Register, that there is going to be a resumption, there is intention to resume the random HIPAA audit program. And we don’t have an exact timeframe for when that will officially begin. The sort of chatter is that it’s likely to be resumed by the end of the year. So what we want to talk about, because our focus is always on being able to be proactive wherever possible, equipping you with what you need to know, to be able to navigate this and have peace of mind in place. Right? So Evan, what was the largest gap in compliance with the HIPAA requirements and standards that was previously identified in the prior random audit periods?
Evan Dumas
It was risk analyses, that people didn’t do their risk analyses.
Liath Dalton
Indeed, and that’s part of why we have said that we know that the risk analysis standard and that fundamental requirement of HIPAA compliance is and has been, historically, the least complied with, but it is being heavily emphasized as the most important because, you know, we can’t protect against risks and put reasonable safeguards in place to prevent their realization or lessen their impact if we haven’t identified what they are in a thorough and intentional way.
Evan Dumas
Yeah.
Liath Dalton
So that part kind of comes as no surprise. Other notable gaps were related to HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, the client facing forms, where they’re being informed of their rights under HIPAA, not containing required language and components, and not having the necessary customization that is specific to like, psychotherapy, keeping of psychotherapy notes and the additional components around state restrictions and where there are protections that are even more stringent than what’s afforded under HIPAA in place. And then the other big piece, which the Office of Civil Rights, the HIPAA regulators, takes really seriously, is when rights of access were not being followed. Where clients or patients were being restricted from accessing their health records, when they had rights of access, though, that component of things is not going to be the primary focus of this random audit period, because they already have an active Rights of Access Initiative
Evan Dumas
Oh yeah.
Liath Dalton
that has been ongoing for the last couple of years. So really, I think the primary piece that they’re going to be looking at is the risk analysis component. And part of what informs us knowing that is because they’ve also been emphasizing that in other recent communications and bulletins, mainly in response to the Change Healthcare debacle.
Evan Dumas
Hahah, yeah.
Liath Dalton
And the letter to all HIPAA covered entities and business associates that they recently released, saying, you know, this whole incident emphasizes the importance of all parties that are subject to HIPAA really managing their compliance with the standards, and in particular, the risk analysis requirement.
Evan Dumas
Mhmm.
Liath Dalton
So we know that that is top of mind for them. And so, as we’re kind of announcing this, this piece of information to you, since they have recently made known that these random audits are going to be resumed, that that is their intention, our desire is to help you prepare and and have your ducks in a row in advance.
Evan Dumas
Mhmm.
Liath Dalton
And that is going to consist of having formal compliance in place as best as possible.
Evan Dumas
Yeah.
Liath Dalton
And the main components of that are having a documented, quote, thorough and accurate HIPAA security risk analysis, having a risk mitigation plan that you work your way through, and having comprehensive policies and procedures. So there’s, like the formal compliance requirements. And, of course, the goal of it is that these not just be performative or on paper, but really translate to being implemented in practice.
Evan Dumas
Mhmm.
Liath Dalton
Because the end goal is to be safeguarding client information. That’s the whole purpose and utility of this, and that’s in everyone’s interest here. So hopefully, being aware that this is on the not too distant horizon gives you a chance to identify any areas where you don’t have formal compliance in place and and take action sooner than later to
Evan Dumas
Mhmm.
Liath Dalton
get them there so that you just have peace of mind – I’ve got this covered in the event that that I might be one of the selected HIPAA covered entities for
Evan Dumas
Yeah.
Liath Dalton
such a random audit.
Liath Dalton
Now, I will say in the previous random audit period, the number of HIPAA covered entities that were audited was 166.
Evan Dumas
Mmm.
Liath Dalton
So still,
Evan Dumas
Yeah.
Liath Dalton
you know, the total number, the odds are small.
Evan Dumas
Yeah.
Liath Dalton
So that’s, that’s not to say that it couldn’t happen to you. But the the audit factor should should not be the the primary motivating factor for managing these these pieces of formal compliance, it really should be that they’re supportive of safeguarding client info,
Liath Dalton
and therefore, your practice. And so that’s the kind of most recent news. And we hope that it inspires you to put it on your short term to-do list to manage the formal compliance requirements, if that has not yet been done. And of course, we have resources and support to assist you with that.
Evan Dumas
Mhmm.
Evan Dumas
Mhmm, exactly.
Liath Dalton
Evan, would you say a little bit about what your favorite things about the risk analysis are, in terms of like equipping folks to manage compliance, and why we refer to it as a two birds one feeder solution?
Evan Dumas
It’s really, what folks I hear what people get from it is that it’s a really non-judging non-shaming practice, which they don’t see a lot of in their HIPAA compliance work. They see a lot of “Oh, you’re not doing it right, that’s bad.” But we have a pretty compassionate and educating approach to it. And you know, I’ll always let people know when they’re doing something not right. And if they believe one way or the other, you know, we’ll do that risk exploration together. But folks really like it because it is a total overview of all of their risk surface area in regards to HIPAA, and then a plan for what to do about it. And we break that down into bite sized chunks, and try to make the whole thing pretty manageable when it starts out just being a mountain of unknown height.
Liath Dalton
Mhmm.
Evan Dumas
We then, you know, survey said mountain and make a plan for navigating it. It might just be a hill, so it’s a nice process.
Liath Dalton
And maybe even a molehill.
Evan Dumas
Exactly.
Liath Dalton
Yeah. I like to think of the risk analysis and risk mitigation plan more as a needs assessment and a treatment plan. Right?
Evan Dumas
Mmm.
Liath Dalton
That sounds a lot more accessible in this space, than just risk analysis and risk mitigation plan.
Evan Dumas
Yeah exactly.
Liath Dalton
So if that makes it a little easier to envision applying to your practice, then think of it in those terms.
Evan Dumas
Mhmm.
Liath Dalton
So hope, hope this sharing of news is helpful, and we’ll talk more about some of the other significant HIPAA changes and their implications
Evan Dumas
Mm, yeah.
Liath Dalton
that are on the horizon in our next set of episodes,
Evan Dumas
Mhmm.
Liath Dalton
so stay tuned for those. And in the meantime, take good care.
Evan Dumas
Yeah, take care everybody.
Liath Dalton
This has been Group Practice Tech, you can find us at personcenteredtech.com. For more podcast episodes, you can go to personcenteredtech.com/podcast or click podcast on the menu bar.
Your Hosts
PCT’s Director, Liath, and Senior Consultant, Evan.
![liath](https://dev-personcenteredtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/liath.png)
![evan evan](https://dev-personcenteredtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Untitled-design-1.png)
Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.
In this episode, we share ways to be proactive in light of the news that random HIPAA audits are returning.
We discuss why there’s still no HIPAA police; the function of these random audits; where the gaps in compliance have been historically; what auditors will likely be looking for; the importance of risk analyses, risk mitigation plans, and policies & procedures; how many HIPAA covered entities were audited the last time the program was active; and PCT’s resources to help you get started with formal compliance in a shame-free way.
Resources are available for all Group Practice Tech listeners below:
![proudly sponsored by](https://dev-personcenteredtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/proudly-sponsored-by-e1706490067491.png)
Therapy Notes proudly sponsors Group Practice Tech!
TherapyNotes is a behavioral health EMR/EHR that helps you securely manage records, book appointments, write notes, bill, and more. We recommend it for use by mental health professionals. Learn more about TherapyNotes and use code “PCT” to get two months of free software.
*Please note that this offer only applies to brand-new TherapyNotes customers
Resources for Listeners
Resources & further information:
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JD Supra article: Never Say Never Again: HHS Signals the Return of HIPAA Audit Program
PCT Resources
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HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices — care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You’ll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks.
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weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours
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+ assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for *all* team members at no per-person cost)
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+ assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for *all* team members at no per-person cost) + more
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PCT’s Group Practice PCT Way HIPAA Compliance Manual & Materials — comprehensive customizable HIPAA Security Policies & Procedure and materials templates specifically for mental health group practices. with a detailed step-by-step project plan and guided instructions for adopting & implementing efficiently **includes policy prohibition on use of BCC and CC; workforce forwarding emails from their practice email account to personal email account; data entry checking/not using autofill suggestions for recipients — the P&P components that address the email gone awry situations we discussed in the podcast episode
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Policies & Procedures include
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Customizable templates that address each of the HIPAA Security Rule Standards. Ready for plug-and-play real practice application.
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Computing Devices and Electronic Media Technical Security Policy
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Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy
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Communications Security Policy
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Information Systems Secure Use Policy
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Risk Management Policy
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Contingency Planning Policy
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Device and Document Transport and Storage Policy
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Device and Document Disposal Policy
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Security Training and Awareness Policy
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Passwords and Other Digital Authentication Policy
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Software and Hardware Selection Policy
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Security Incident Response and Breach Notification Policy
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Security Onboarding and Exit Policy
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Sanction Policy Policy
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Release of Information Security Policy
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Remote Access Policy
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Data Backup Policy
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Facility/Office Access and Physical Security Policy
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Facility Network Security Policy
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Computing Device Acceptable Use Policy
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Business Associate Policy
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Access Log Review Policy
Forms & Logs include:
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Workforce Security Policies Agreement
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Security Incident Report
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PHI Access Determination
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Password Policy Compliance
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BYOD Registration & Termination
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Data Backup & Confirmation
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Access Log Review
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Key & Access Code Issue and Loss
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Third-Party Service Vendors
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Building Security Plan
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Security Schedule
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Equipment Security Check
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Computing System Access Granting & Revocation
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Training Completion
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Mini Risk Analysis
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Security Incident Response
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Security Reminder
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Practice Equipment Catalog
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+ Workforce Security Manual & Leadership Security Manual — the role-based practical application oriented distillation of the formal Policies & Procedures
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+ 2 complimentary seats of the Security Officer Endorsement Training Program (1 for Security Officer; 1 for Deputy (or future Deputy) Security Officer.
Group Practices
Get more information about how PCT can help you reach HIPAA compliance while optimizing and streamlining your practice.
Solo Practitioners
Get more information about how PCT can help you reach HIPAA compliance while optimizing and streamlining your practice.