Health Information Management

Should feds remove small practices from Red Flags Rule compliance?

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, March 15, 2010

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

Eliminating small practices from complying with the FTC's identity theft prevention program regulation would lead to more identity violations, according to one authority on Red Flags Rule compliance.

Randy Berry, BA, CPA, financial leader and Red Flags Rule compliance expert with Columbus Healthcare & Safety Consultants in Columbus, OH, says it would be unfortunate if entities with 20 or fewer employees are let off the compliance hook.

In December 2009, the U.S. District Court issued a summary judgment in favor of the American Bar Association that said the Red Flags Rule does not apply to attorneys or law firms.

Piggybacking off that decision, a group that includes the American Dental Association, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association wrote a letter to the FTC urging it to remove them from compliance. Also, the House passed a bill last year that calls for removing entities with 20 or fewer employees from Red Flags Rule compliance.

The FTC's compliance date with Red Flags has been in effect for nearly a year and a half (November 1, 2008). The enforcement date, however, has been delayed four times. It is now June 1, 2010.

Read more on HealthLeaders Media.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIPAA Weekly Advisor!

  • Briefings on APCs

    Worried about the complexities of the new rules under OPPS and APCs? Briefings on APCs helps you understand the new rules...

  • Medical Records Briefing

    Guiding Health Information Management professionals through the continuously changing field of medical records and toward a...

  • Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies

    Submitting improper Medicare documentaion can lead to denial of fees, payback, fines, and increased diligence from payers...

  • Briefings on HIPAA

    How can you minimize the impact of HIPAA? Subscribe to Briefings on HIPAA, your health information management resource for...

  • APCs Weekly Monitor

    This HTML-based e-mail newsletter provides weekly tips and advice on the new ambulatory payment classifications regulations...

Most Popular

Related Articles