NCQA, JCAHO to launch privacy certification program for business associates
HIPAA Weekly Advisor, June 20, 2003
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Business associates can now certify their HIPAA privacy compliance programs with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
NCQA and JCAHO June 16 announced that their privacy certification program for business associates will launch this month, and eight organizations are already seeking certification.
The program is designed to assess whether business associates are meeting the privacy rule's requirements for safeguarding PHI, and standards address the following:
- Privacy protections for oral, written, and electronic PHI
- Processes and practices for the storage, use, and disclosure of PHI
- Employee training in PHI protections
- Consumer access to PHI
- Contracting between covered entities and their business associates
The eight organizations currently seeking certification will first use a Web-based tool to assess their compliance with the program standards. Once the requested materials have been submitted, a survey team will conduct an onsite review of the organization that will yield a pass/fail decision. "Pass" results will be valid for two years. Surveys are anticipated to begin in August, and any business associates that handle PHI for health care providers, health plans, or health care clearinghouses are eligible for the program.
Go to http://www.jcaho.org/news+room/news+release+archives/bap_6_16.htm to read more.
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