Health Information Management

Save money and time by becoming part of OHCA

HIM Connection, February 28, 2003

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Dear Colleagues:

Providers that are part of a larger organized health care arrangement (OHCA)-such as a health maintenance organization, a health system, or a clinically integrated care setting-may be able to save some of the time and expense of implementing some of the privacy regulations. OHCA members are all allowed to use some of the same forms, and don't have to establish formal agreements with one another. If you're not already part of one, you may want to consider whether your practice is eligible to participate.

HIPAA defines an OHCA as either of the following:

  • A clinically integrated care setting, such as a health maintenance organization, in which individuals typically receive health care from more than one provider
  • An organized system of health care in which more than one covered entity participates (such as if your practice is part of a larger health care delivery system that includes hospitals, medical clinics, and other service delivery sites

If you aren't part of an HMO or some other clinically integrated setting, your group has to meet certain criterion in order to qualify as an OHCA.

To find out more information on this topic, click here.

This week's HIM Connection was adapted from the book Fast Lane to HIPAA Compliance: Easy-to-Use Tools and Solutions for Your Physician Practice. At 200 pages, this book will help keep physicians free of legal issues and let them concentrate on patient care by offering them time-saving strategies to comply with HIPAA. In addition, Fast Lane to HIPAA Compliance is a tool to gain patient's confidence in your practice's HIPAA awareness-equaling happier patients, reduced risk of lawsuits, and more referrals. Click on the above link to order your copy today!

Sincerely,

Kim Raines
Managing Editor



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