Overview:

This 90-minute webinar is designed to help practice managers, business administrators, and compliance officers achieve and maintain robust HIPAA compliance in an era of intensified, bipartisan-backed enforcement. The regulatory landscape has shifted, and organizations must now ensure their programs are fully defensible.

We will address the major regulatory changes under the Omnibus Rule, analyze the current enforcement climate, and provide a comprehensive overview of critical updates for 2024 and beyond. This includes the evolving implications of COVID-19, the expansion of telemedicine, new guidelines for electronic communications, the 21st Century Cures Act (Information Blocking), heightened cybersecurity threats, and the significant privacy ramifications of the Dobbs vs. Jackson Supreme Court ruling.

With a rising number of compliance risks for Covered Entities and Business Associates, this session will focus on the most common violations leading to penalties and provide clear strategies for avoiding them.

Drawing on over 21 years of direct experience as an external compliance auditor and expert witness in HIPAA litigation, I will explain the mechanisms that now allow patients to seek financial remedies for wrongful disclosures. Most importantly, I will demonstrate proactive steps and best practices to effectively mitigate these risks.

Why you should Attend:

Enroll in this 90-minute webinar to gain a clear understanding of the latest developments in HIPAA, from new regulatory requirements to a significantly more aggressive enforcement posture. This once-sporadically enforced law has undergone a fundamental shift, and staying informed is essential for protecting your organization.

We will explore critical questions, including:

• What regulatory changes and enforcement priorities can we expect?

• How have the rules for telemedicine, information blocking, and electronic communications evolved?

• What is the impact of the Dobbs vs. Jackson ruling on HIPAA compliance and patient privacy?

• How should organizations respond to the increased threat of sophisticated cyberattacks?

• What actions are most likely to trigger a lawsuit or a federal HIPAA audit?

The session will provide an in-depth look at the current enforcement strategy from the Department of Health and Human Services, including insights into the audit process and analysis of recent case studies from both audits and courtrooms.

Areas Covered in the Session:

• Essential Regulatory Updates for 2024 and Beyond

• The Impact of Dobbs vs. Jackson on HIPAA Compliance

• COVID-19-Related HIPAA Changes and Telemedicine Guidelines

• Understanding the 21st Century Cures Act (Information Blocking)

• Penalty Structures and Recent Enforcement Actions

• Secure Management of Portable Devices, Texting, and Email

• The Expanded Definition of Protected Health Information (PHI)

• Analysis of Real-Life Audits and Litigated Cases

• The Increased Compliance Burden on Business Associates

• Breach Notification Requirements and Risk Factor Management

Who Will Benefit:

• Practice and Compliance Managers

• Physicians and Medical Professionals

• All Business Associates serving the healthcare industry, including:

  • Billing and Transcription Companies

  • IT Firms and Answering Services

  • Home Health Agencies

  • Medical Coders

  • Attorneys