Weekly Newsletter Phase-Out — Final

This is the notice of FINAL shutdown of the newsletter and updates to the website EFFECTIVE TODAY — FEBRUARY 1, 2021 Due to the worldwide internet security disasters of 2020 and their probable continuation into 2021, I have determined that continued operation of the newsletter is an unnecessary risk and will shut it down on … Read more

Weekly Newsletter Phase-out — Third Notice

As previously announced: Due to the worldwide internet security disasters of 2020 and their probable continuation into 2021, I have determined that continued operation of the newsletter is an unnecessary risk and will shut it down on February 1.  The website will remain available to download present information until March 1. I suggest you utilize … Read more

A word of explanation

Some folks have questioned why I am ending the website and newsletter over security concerns.  It is simple — In the past 3 years,  I have become very involved in and aware of cybersecurity and privacy issues, beyond just HIPAA, and it is apparent to me that breaches are inevitable.  I feel a website and … Read more

Weekly newsletter phase-out — Second Notice

As previously advised: Due to the worldwide internet security disasters of 2020 and their probable continuation into 2021, I have determined that continued operation of the newsletter is an unnecessary risk and will shut it down on February 1.  The website will remain available to download present information until March 1. I suggest you utilize … Read more

Weekly newsletter phase-out — first notice

Due to the worldwide internet security disasters of 2020 and their probable continuation into 2021, I have determined that continued operation of the newsletter is an unnecessary risk and will shut it down on February 1.  The website will remain available to download present information until March 1. I suggest you utilize the unsubscribe link … Read more

New OCR Advisory — HIPAA and Health Information Exchanges

Dec. 18,2020 — Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance on how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) permits covered entities and their business associates to use health information exchanges (HIEs) to disclose protected health information (PHI) for the … Read more

OCR report finds most providers and business associates failed basic HIPAA standards

December 17, 2020 –The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its 2016-2017 HIPAA Audits Industry Report that reviewed selected health care entities and business associates for compliance with certain provisions of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules. The Health Information Technology for Economic … Read more

HHS Amends PREP Act Declaration to expand protections

  Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a fourth amendment to the Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to increase access to criticial countermeasures against COVID-19. “During the pandemic, the Trump Administration has made broader use of the PREP Act to expand access to potentially … Read more

Veteran’s Day Recognition

Today we call it Veteran’s Day to honor all that have served, but for both my grandfathers it was Armistice Day.  As young men, they did not know each other but were both in trenches in Europe on November 11, 1918, when WWI ended.  It was supposed to be the War to End All War, … Read more