Welcome solo and group practice owners! We are Liath Dalton and Evan Dumas, your co-hosts of Group Practice Tech.

In our latest episode, we share ways to be proactive in light of the news that random HIPAA audits are returning.

We discuss why there’s still no HIPAA police; the function of these random audits; where the gaps in compliance have been historically; what auditors will likely be looking for; the importance of risk analyses, risk mitigation plans, and policies & procedures; how many HIPAA covered entities were audited the last time the program was active; and PCT’s resources to help you get started with formal compliance in a shame-free way.

Listen here: https://personcenteredtech.com/group/podcast/

For more, visit our website.

Resources & further information: * Results of prior audit period * HHS Notice in the Federal Register * JD Supra article: Never Say Never Again: HHS Signals the Return of HIPAA Audit Program

PCT Resources * HIPAA Risk Analysis & Risk Mitigation Planning service for mental health group practices -- care for your practice using our supportive, shame-free risk analysis and mitigation planning service. You’ll have your Risk Analysis done within 2 hours, performed by a PCT consultant, using a tool built specifically for mental health group practice, and a mitigation checklist to help you reduce your risks. * Group Practice Care Premium + weekly (live & recorded) direct support & consultation service, Group Practice Office Hours + + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Bring Your Own Device training + access to Device Security Center with step-by-step device-specific tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting all personally owned & practice-provided devices (for all team members at no per-person cost) + + assignable staff HIPAA Security Awareness: Remote Workspaces training for all team members + access to Remote Workspace Center with step-by-step tutorials & registration forms for securing and documenting Remote Workspaces (for all team members at no per-person cost) + more

• PCT's Group Practice PCT Way HIPAA Compliance Manual & Materials -- comprehensive customizable HIPAA Security Policies & Procedure and materials templates specifically for mental health group practices. with a detailed step-by-step project plan and guided instructions for adopting & implementing efficiently **includes policy prohibition on use of BCC and CC; workforce forwarding emails from their practice email account to personal email account; data entry checking/not using autofill suggestions for recipients -- the P&P components that address the email gone awry situations we discussed in the podcast episode
• Policies & Procedures include
• Customizable templates that address each of the HIPAA Security Rule Standards. Ready for plug-and-play real practice application.
• Computing Devices and Electronic Media Technical Security Policy
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy
• Communications Security Policy
• Information Systems Secure Use Policy
• Risk Management Policy
• Contingency Planning Policy
• Device and Document Transport and Storage Policy
• Device and Document Disposal Policy
• Security Training and Awareness Policy
• Passwords and Other Digital Authentication Policy
• Software and Hardware Selection Policy
• Security Incident Response and Breach Notification Policy
• Security Onboarding and Exit Policy
• Sanction Policy Policy
• Release of Information Security Policy
• Remote Access Policy
• Data Backup Policy
• Facility/Office Access and Physical Security Policy
• Facility Network Security Policy
• Computing Device Acceptable Use Policy
• Business Associate Policy

• Access Log Review Policy

• Forms & Logs include:

• Workforce Security Policies Agreement

• Security Incident Report
• PHI Access Determination
• Password Policy Compliance
• BYOD Registration & Termination
• Data Backup & Confirmation
• Access Log Review
• Key & Access Code Issue and Loss
• Third-Party Service Vendors
• Building Security Plan
• Security Schedule
• Equipment Security Check
• Computing System Access Granting & Revocation
• Training Completion
• Mini Risk Analysis
• Security Incident Response
• Security Reminder
• Practice Equipment Catalog
• • Workforce Security Manual & Leadership Security Manual -- the role-based practical application oriented distillation of the formal Policies & Procedures
• • 2 complimentary seats of the Security Officer Endorsement Training Program (1 for Security Officer; 1 for Deputy (or future Deputy) Security Officer.