Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through Dec. 3, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations arising from 263 inspections for violations relating to the coronavirus, resulting in proposed penalties of more than $3.5 million, the DOL…
The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is updating its inspection program that directs agency enforcement resources to establishments with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. The Site-Specific Targeting (SST) Directive is OSHA’s primary targeting program…
Look for the Biden administration to put health data privacy and security on the front burner next year. As attorney general for California, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Designate Xavier Becerra developed a track record as a proponent of consumer privacy initiatives.…
Concern for protecting and safely handling private health information continues to grow, especially with the reliance on electronic transmission. Federal regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provide guidelines to help ensure that healthcare providers, institutions and their business partners protect…
Customer loyalty is the ultimate goal of any business. Everyday companies should not only try to provide excellent service but also try to turn a dissatisfied customer into a happy one. But how can one calm down an angry patient without violating HIPAA regulations? Sounds…
2020 has been a busy year with HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, from Premera Blue Cross’ $6.85 million settlement, the second largest in OCR history, to numerous right of access case resolutions. Here are 17 hospitals, health systems and health plans that have agreed to…
October 28, 2020 – The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights announced it reached a $1 million settlement with Aetna to resolve potential HIPAA violations stemming from three separate patient data breaches in 2017. The insurance giant has already settled a class-action lawsuit filed by breach victims…
Throughout 2020, healthcare organizations have agreed to pay millions of dollars to settle HIPAA violations with HHS’ Office for Civil Rights. Here are four of the largest HIPAA settlements so far this year. 1. Premera Blue Cross agreed to pay OCR $6.85 million to settle…
A health insurance company in Washington state has been slapped with the second-largest ever HIPAA violation penalty. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has imposed a $6.85m penalty on Premera Blue Cross to resolve potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and…
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has awarded approximately $11.2 million in Susan Harwood federal safety and health training grants to 90 nonprofit organizations nationwide. The grants will provide education and training programs to help workers and employers recognize serious…