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Is your reimbursement information secure?

LTC Liability Monitor, March 30, 2006

A new report by the GAO warns that inadequate computer security threatens the confidential Medicare and Medicaid data of millions of Americans, according to USA Today. The report, which the GAO is scheduled to release in April, focuses on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)-specifically on management and audit reports from 13 HHS divisions in 2004 and 2005.

Among other inconsistencies, GAO investigators found that that anti-virus software is often not installed or up to date, that there is a lack of adequate control over computer passwords, that employees and contractors work without background checks, and that there are little to no effective controls, such as surveillance cameras and restricted access prompts, to prevent spying and theft.

In a statement, HHS officials questioned the accuracy and thoroughness of the GAO report, which they said fails to note a 57% decrease in HHS' reportable deficiencies in 2005.

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