News

Okay folks – we need to talk about your data backup.   Dental offices, as covered entities, must meet Implementation Standards to get in compliance with the HIPAA security rules. There are two types of implementation standards: required and addressable. Required means it must be done and there is only one right way to do it. Addressable means it must be done, but you have options. However, if you aren’t going to do it, you must document in writing why. Substantiate. Substantiate. Substantiate.   Backing up your data (the act/action) is an addressable implementation standard. You’ve got to do it,...

As you can see from the title, today’s discussion centers on dental claims, which are utilized to seek reimbursement for services rendered.    Under the HIPAA Transactions and Codes Sets Rule, dentists are required to use a designated code set for billing purposes. These codes are the ADA Current Dental Terminology.   Under the HIPAA Unique Identifier Rule, dentists and physicians are required to obtain and use a National Provider Identification (NPI) number for professional purposes, which is like a professional social security number.   The ADA established a uniform claim submission form which is commonly used for claims submission...

On January 9, 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), announced the first HIPAA enforcement action and settlement based on the late reporting of a breach of unsecured protected health information (PHI). Presence Health, a large Illinois healthcare network, settled potential violations of the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule by paying $475,000 and implementing a corrective action plan. The breach involved missing paper-based operating room schedules containing the PHI of 836 individuals. Information included individuals’ names, dates of birth, medical record numbers, dates of procedures, types of procedures, surgeon names, and types of anesthesia....

The CDC has come out with guidance about handpieces and sterilization. I have always advocated sterilization of handpieces between patients and for good reason. Basically, the CDC recommends (which most if not all State Dental Boards interpret as law) that you should be heat sterilizing your handpieces and other intraoral instruments that can be removed from air and water lines between each patient use. (see the article below) If you have any questions about this or need help teaching proper sterilization techniques to your staff, please give us a call. 817-755-0035. The only shame is asking for help is in asking...