From the Desk of Matt Fisher – ICYMI

By Matt Fisher, Esq
Twitter: @matt_r_fisher
Host of Healthcare de Jure – #HCdeJure

Tune in weekdays at 2pm, 10pm or 6am ET as Matt serves up the hottest healthcare issues of the day, all from a legal point of view.  From public policies and Federal initiatives to privacy and security, join host Matt R. Fisher as he and his guests discuss a smorgasbord of topics, giving hospitals, physicians, vendors and patients a seat at the table. Matt’s virtual conversations can be listened to on demand or heard on air. So don’t miss a minute of what’s on the menu.

ICYMI, read the latest of Matt’s blogs. And don’t forget to join the conversation with Matt on #HCdeJure.

Security Risk Hiding in Plain Sight
Security risks can lurk behind every corner, but some places can feel more hidden than others, even if that is not the case. One area perceived as hidden is the source code underpinning various digital health or other software based tools. Risks found in code can be troublesome because development of that code is often outsourced, which is actually part of the problem. Continue reading on HealthIT Answers.

Withholding Information: Patient Privacy and Security Concerns
Anecdotally, issues have existed for a long time in healthcare when in terms of knowing whether patients are telling physicians all of the information needed to effectively provide care. From some stories, reasons for a lack of sharing can range from believing the physician does not need to know something, not wanting to share a specific piece of information given perceived embarrassment, or not wanting the information to leak out. Those concerns existed when records were in paper form and not electronic. Continue reading on HealthIT Answers.

Why Now?: Question Surrounding FQHC HIPAA Fine
Why now? That is a question that Metropolitan Community Health Services, which operates as Agape Health Services (Agape) must be asking at this point in time. Agape is a federally qualified health center that just entered into a HIPAA related settlement with the Office for Civil Rights. The reason for asking why now is that the breach that set off investigation leading to the fine was submitted on June 9, 2011. Continue reading on HealthIT Answers.

HIPAA and COVID-19 Responses
Responses to and really reopening plans as part of the effort to address COVID-19 have raised a number of privacy concerns. When privacy and healthcare come up together, the discussion inevitably turns to HIPAA. Unfortunately, the discussions around HIPAA, as is so often the case, result in a number of misconceptions or misstatements as to the actual impact of HIPAA. In repeating the pattern of past issues around misconceptions, HIPAA is being identified as a barrier to certain actions or an excuse to not share information. On the whole, the privacy concerns focus on what data can be shared in what contexts as well as the actions that can be taken. The issues are occurring in a variety of settings as well from retail stores to offices to professional sports to mobile applications. Continue reading on HealthIT Answers.

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