December, 2023

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HIPAA Enforcement is Changing. Providers Must Too.

HIT Consultant

Cam Roberson, VP at Beachhead Solutions Healthcare delivery organizations and those working with them that are still in business are either well aware of their duties under HIPAA, work with managed service providers that understand the law well, or…are lucky to have made it this far. Even for organizations that have steered clear of both cyberattacks and regulatory fines, vigilance is essential to maintaining a clean bill of (cybersecurity) health.

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New HIPAA Security Rule and Enforcement Coming in 2024

Healthcare IT Today

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said it will update the HIPAA Security Rule in 2024 and will ask Congress for new laws and resources to increase civil money penalties for HIPAA violations, increase HIPAA enforcement, and conduct proactive audits. HHS released a new Healthcare Sector Cybersecurity strategy paper which cited a 93% increase in large breaches from 2018 – 2022 and a 278% increase in large breaches caused by ransomware.

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Groundbreaking U.S. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Rule May Mean A Healthier New Year In 2025 and Beyond  

HIPAA & Health IT

Exactly 12 days before Christmas, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) gave the health industry a unique gift buried in a 900+ page rule adoption. The gift? The first comprehensive U.S. regulation delineating the responsible use and oversight of AI used in connection with health care decision-making.

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ChristianaCare pays $47M to resolve former compliance officer's kickback allegations

Fierce Healthcare

Wilmington, Delaware-based ChristianaCare has agreed to a $47.1 million settlement resolving illegal kickback allegations flagged by its former chief compliance officer, Ronald Sherman. | The agreement is the largest False Claims Act settlement in Delaware's history and paves the way for future cases against hospitals that provide private physician groups with free services from their employees, legal counsel said.

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Bridging Innovation & Patient Care: The Growing Role of AI

Speaker: Simran Kaur, Co-founder & CEO at Tattva.Health

AI is transforming clinical trials—accelerating drug discovery, optimizing patient recruitment, and improving data analysis. But its impact goes far beyond research. As AI-driven innovation reshapes the clinical trial process, it’s also influencing broader healthcare trends, from personalized medicine to patient outcomes. Join this new webinar featuring Simran Kaur for an insightful discussion on what all of this means for the future of healthcare!

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How AI can improve patient experience and patient engagement

Healthcare It News

Hospitals and health systems, especially larger ones, are using AI in myriad new ways – including leveraging it for improved patient experience, and for better patient engagement with the goal of reducing health inequities. Tom Kiseau, digital leader and chief innovation officer at the Chartis Group, hosts a regular series of AI roundtables alongside colleagues and experts from other practices in the industry.

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House passes bill targeting price transparency, site-neutral payments, PBMs

Healthcare Dive

Hospitals have lobbied against the site-neutral payment policies included in the bipartisan legislation.

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More Trending

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The intersection of telehealth and AI: How can they reinforce each other?

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

Telemedicine took a huge leap forward during the pandemic as more providers and patients embraced remote delivery of healthcare services. Today, artificial intelligence-powered telemedicine tools that remotely diagnose patients and route them to the proper care setting have begun popping up; they are designed to increase access to healthcare services and assist providers in making informed decisions, ensuring timely and appropriate care.

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Escalating Cybersecurity Crisis Grips Healthcare Sector: Ransomware Attacks Surge Across Industry Leaders

Electronic Health Reporter

This article is copyrighted strictly for Electronic Health Reporter. Illegal copying is prohibited. In the throes of an ever-intensifying cybersecurity crisis, the healthcare sector is under siege, grappling with the fallout from a wave of ransomware attacks. Among the prominent victims are Ardent Health Services and Norton Healthcare, […] The article Escalating Cybersecurity Crisis Grips Healthcare Sector: Ransomware Attacks Surge Across Industry Leaders appeared first on electronichealth

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2024 Outlook: Despite hurdles, stakeholders bullish on VR in behavioral health

Fierce Healthcare

Though often associated with gaming, virtual reality (VR) is a technology rapidly evolving in healthcare. | VR therapy is not a new concept, though it wasn’t until the last few years that the field became prominent. And as technology has improved and gotten more intuitive to use, it has also become less expensive.

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Where AI innovation has taken one EHR vendor in 2023

Healthcare It News

Healthcare IT News sat down with Paul Brient , chief product officer of athenahealth, to gain his insights into how artificial intelligence can improve patient experiences and healthcare delivery, simplify healthcare interactions, and make healthcare more accessible, as well as hear how the electronic health record vendor is using AI today. He said that new AI-driven features in athenaOne are already helping to improve healthcare efficiency and address clinician burnout by cutting administrative

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HIPAA Compliance 2025: Navigating Regulatory Changes & Industry Trends

Based on comprehensive survey data from diverse healthcare providers, the 2025 HIPAA Benchmark Report delivers actionable intelligence for modern compliance programs. This report examines how organizations are restructuring HIPAA Privacy Programs to address emerging regulatory requirements. Through analysis of staffing models, program operations, and breach management protocols, it provides a clear picture of current best practices.

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UnitedHealth, OptumRx sued by independent pharmacy over ‘unconscionable’ fees

Healthcare Dive

Osterhaus Pharmacy in Iowa — which is also suing CVS Caremark — is taking issue with pharmacy benefit managers’ use of performance-based fees that it says are contributing to independent pharmacy closures.

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When the Law of Scientific Evidence Collides with Medical Practice

Bill of Health

By Barbara Pfeffer Billauer Approaches to resolving scientific evidentiary issues continue to diverge throughout the country. [1] A prominent recent example includes the rejection of the medical diagnosis of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) to reflect disparate views in the scientific, medical, and legal communities. Under guise of making a scientific evidentiary ruling, a New Jersey court has just dismembered the medical diagnosis of SBS, with the judge disavowing the condition’s validity.

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Successful RPM needs leading edge tech, thoughtful implementations

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

This flu season will see at least 26 million cases, 290,000 hospitalizations, and 19,000 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pair that with a longstanding physician shortage and it could be a recipe for disaster in ERs and urgent care centers this winter. One way to alleviate the burden on healthcare workers and potentially improve the patient experience and outcomes is remote patient monitoring.

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Q&A: Google's chief clinical officer on AI regulation in healthcare

Mobi Health News

Dr. Michael Howell, chief clinical officer at Google, discusses Med-PaLM's evolution in 2023 and recommendations for regulators developing rules for AI use in healthcare.

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Simplify Screening for Excluded Providers

Every health care provider that accepts federal payments must screen for excluded providers. Use this sample Exclusion Screening Checklist and Compliance Policy to evaluate and improve your organization’s compliance with the law. Payments from Medicare, Medicaid, and TriCare trigger screening requirements that may extend to employees, contractors, volunteers, board members, and network providers.

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Few health plans have dedicated Alzheimer’s and dementia care management strategy: survey

Fierce Healthcare

Health plans and value-based care organizations are ill-prepared to help patients with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia. | Only a small fraction of health plans and value-based care organizations have a fully developed care management model for its enrollees with dementia or Alzheimer's, a new survey shows.

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Biomarker legislation could improve patient access in 2024

Healthcare It News

Panel biomarker testing can unlock some of the mysteries of treating patients so that they experience fewer side effects, better quality of life, longer survival rates and potentially, lower costs. At least 22 states are opening up, or looking at how to open up access to it. This past week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed Senate Bill 1196a/Assembly Bill 1673a into law directing all state-regulated health plans, including Medicaid, to cover comprehensive biomarker testing, clearing the path

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Healthcare executives look to implement generative AI next year, survey finds

Healthcare Dive

Though only a quarter of respondents said they’d already adopted the tools, 58% reported they were likely to do so within the next year, according to Klas Research.

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The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Responding to Public Health Emergencies by Upholding Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law

Bill of Health

By Anita Gholami The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which brings together parliamentarians from 46 member States, has been a vigilant guardian of respect for the European Convention on Human Rights and other international standards throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Assembly has adopted a number of resolutions and recommendations seeking to equip parliaments in our European member States and beyond with the relevant tools and expertise to uphold human rights, democracy and t

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Navigating Payroll Compliance: Future-Proofing Payroll in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape

Speaker: Jennifer Hill

Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.

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South Korea expands telemedicine pilot and more briefs

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

South Korea expands telemedicine pilot Starting 15 December, the South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare will be introducing additional measures to its national telemedicine pilot. According to a media statement, the programme is now allowing the conduct of telemedicine services at night and on holidays. Patients who have had face-to-face treatment within the past six months from a clinic can now also access telemedicine.

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Digital health leaders discuss their biggest takeaways from 2023

Mobi Health News

Execs overwhelmingly cite genAI as having the most significant impact in healthcare this year, though others provide alternative takes on the years' events.

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BCBS of Massachusetts faces backlash from docs over anesthesia coverage policy change

Fierce Healthcare

A new policy from Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts, starting Jan. | Some patients needing a colonoscopy in Massachusetts won't be covered for monitored anesthesia care, or MAC, starting Jan. 1. Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts is standing by the policy, which will save the insurer money but require the patient to remain awake for the operation.

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How GPT and LLMs could usher in an era of 'intelligence-based medicine'

Healthcare It News

SAN DIEGO – As the HIMSS AI in Healthcare Forum kicked off on Thursday morning, Rob Havasy, senior director of informatics strategy at HIMSS, offered some introductory remarks that looked back on a busy decade-plus of health IT innovation. "I've seen a lot of technologies come and go," said Havasy. But with artificial intelligence, he said, especially in the year-plus since ChatGPT captured the attention of the general public in a big way, "this time feels a bit differen

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The Evolution of Communication in Healthcare Settings

Healthcare communication has evolved from handwritten notes and paper charts to digital tools like EHRs, telemedicine, and AI-powered platforms. This blog explores how these advancements improve patient outcomes, streamline care delivery, and enhance provider collaboration. Learn about the role of mobile health (mHealth) apps, secure messaging, and social media in bridging communication gaps.

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HHS’ new cyber framework for hospitals includes stricter requirements, potential penalties

Healthcare Dive

The agency’s plans include working with Congress to receive funding to support hospitals’ security infrastructures as the sector faces the growing threat of cyberattacks.

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Does the ADA Protect People with Substance Use Disorder from Health Care Discrimination?

Bill of Health

By Hannah Rahim The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits health care organizations that provide services to the public from discriminating against persons with disabilities. Although substance use disorder can be a disability under the ADA, there are limitations in the scope and enforcement of these ADA protections. Further action is needed to prevent discrimination in health care services towards persons with substance use disorder.

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Singaporean health chiefs embrace digital health to tackle staff shortage: report

Healthcare IT News - Telehealth

Healthcare executives and young professionals across Singapore have a shared vision of delivering more connected and sustainable healthcare enabled by digital technologies. Based on the Singapore findings of the Future Health Index 2023 report by Royal Philips, Singapore is making "steadfast" progress in digital health transformation. Findings from across Asia-Pacific were earlier published in the regional version of the report.

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2024 predictions: Health tech suppliers on what’s in store

Digital Health News

The year 2023 was another memorable one in the digital health world. We asked health tech suppliers what they think is in store in 2024.

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3 Reasons to Retire Pagers from Healthcare Settings

Let's discuss the trusty pager—an old favorite that’s losing its shine in hospitals and clinics. While once a staple in hospitals and clinics, pagers now present significant limitations that hinder rather than facilitate communication among healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals are constantly on the move, and they need communication tools that can keep up with their fast-paced lives.

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Fees charged by hospitals for colonoscopy procedures 50% higher than surgical centers, study finds

Fierce Healthcare

A new price comparison study finds over 50% higher facility fees for commercially insured colonoscopies performed in hospitals rather than ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), suggesting that “money | The analysis of commercial payers' price transparency data shows that “money has apparently been left on the table” for employers and consumers, the study's senior author says.

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2024 outlook: Traditional care and faxes on the way out; retail care executes its plans

Healthcare It News

In 2024, healthcare and health IT will feel the continued erosion of traditional care paradigms, be impacted by a retail shift from exuberant expansion to the long game of execution, and will finally, at long last, witness the death of the fax machine. This is the outlook for next year offered by Laura Kreofsky, digital transformation program director at Cascadia Health, a community health provider in Oregon, and executive advisor at Pivot Point Consulting, a health IT consultancy where she has

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Senators probe private equity’s role in hospital operations

Healthcare Dive

The inquiry comes as the White House this week said it would investigate private equity investment in healthcare as federal scrutiny of firms ramps up.

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Climate Change and Neglected Tropical Diseases: Key Takeaways from the WHO-WIPO-WTO Trilateral Symposium

Bill of Health

By Aparajita Lath* The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), hosted the 10 th Trilateral Symposium on Human Health and Climate Change in Geneva this November. This article reflects the significant effort made to put climate-sensitive diseases, many of which are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), at the forefront of these talks.

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15 Modern Use Cases for Enterprise Business Intelligence

Large enterprises face unique challenges in optimizing their Business Intelligence (BI) output due to the sheer scale and complexity of their operations. Unlike smaller organizations, where basic BI features and simple dashboards might suffice, enterprises must manage vast amounts of data from diverse sources. What are the top modern BI use cases for enterprise businesses to help you get a leg up on the competition?