Health Care Law Blog

Long-Awaited Privacy Rules Just Published

The Office for Civil Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services recently released its final rule (the "Rule") modifying the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") and implementing the statutory requirements of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”).  (The Rule was originally expected to be released in February of 2010 when HITECH became effective.) In short, the Rule: modifies HIPAA’s privacy, security and enforcement rules; changes HIPAA’s enforcement rules to increase penalties consistent with HITECH; provides a final rule on breach notification; and modifies HIPAA as required by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

The new rule is approximately 563 pages and can be accessed here.  If you have any questions about how the Rule may impact your health care practice, please contact Nicole Stratton at (517) 371-8140 or by using the form below.

Categories: Compliance, HIPAA, HITECH Act, Hospitals, Physicians, Privacy, Regulatory

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New Board of Dentistry rules for handling and disposal of amalgam

The Michigan Board of Dentistry has adopted several new rules governing the handling and disposal of amalgam waste for dentists and dental practices.  

There are some exceptions for oral and maxillofacial surgeons; oral and maxillofacial radiologists; oral pathologists; orthodontists; periodontists; and dentists providing services in a dental school or hospital, or through a local health department.  Read More ›

Categories: Compliance, Licensing, Physicians, Regulatory

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Employer Mandate and the Controlled Group Rules

Employers with 50 or more full time equivalent employees (“FTEs”) will be subject to a penalty tax for: (1) failing to offer health care coverage to all full time employees; ( 2) offering minimum essential coverage that is unaffordable; or (3) offering minimum essential coverage where the Plan pays less than 60% of cost.   This is often referred to as the Employer Mandate of PPACA. Read More ›

Categories: Employee Benefits, Health Care Reform, Insurance, Regulatory

Posted by: Mindi M. Johnson

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