PPV: Train billing and coding staff members on HIPAA

Coding and billing staff members don’t have much face-to-face interaction with patients, but their constant access to medical records and PHI makes them susceptible to HIPAA violations without proper training. So resist the urge to skimp on HIPAA training for these important HIM staff members.

 

Good security measures include systems that require passwords to access patient information and computers that automatically log out when not in use for more than a minute or two.

 

Proper security measures also require teaching staff members the additional rules that apply when they take PHI off-site. Thoroughly review the policies and procedures designed to protect PHI accessed outside your facility with your remote coders. These rules apply to PHI accessed via the Internet or stored on a laptop computer, PDA, or portable media, such as a USB thumb drive.

 

Click here to learn more about what your coders and billers need to know about HIPAA.

 

The cost is $10. Briefings on HIPAA and Health Information Compliance Insider subscribers can sign on for free access.