Compliance

HIPAA Compliance and Tools from Joe DeLoach

Although the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has been in effect since 1996, many optometrists and franchisees are still not sure of how to comply with the law. In addition, several important changes to the law were enacted on September 23, 2013 and many providers are not aware of the new regulations.
So, how do we comply with the “New and Improved” HIPAA of 2014?

First, you’ve got to understand basic HIPAA documentation requirements. If you are investigated by the Federal Office of Civil Rights or the State Attorney General’s Office, you must be able to produce the following documents:
1. Privacy Manual
2. Security Manual
3. Notice of Privacy Practices
4. Acknowledgement of Notice of Privacy Practices
5. Evidence of Staff Training and Re-training

Second, if you have not done so already, go back to your Privacy Manual and your Notice of Privacy Practices and make the necessary changes to bring these documents into compliance with the new HIPAA regulations. Remember, these changes vary from the definition of a HIPAA information breach to the way we market products and services to our patients. It’s a little bit of work, but it’s got to be done.

Joe DeLoach, O.D.
Dr. Joe DeLoach is a recognized speaker, author, and teacher. He has practiced optometry in Dallas, Texas since 1982.
If you need help, updated Compliance Manuals are available from Optometric Business Solutions. Just click on the link below “HIPAA Tools” and products are available there.

HIPAA Tools

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Benchmarking

Most optical sales incentive programs involve either set production benchmarks or the achievement of target percentages of total items or services sold.

Production benchmarks generally account for unexpectedly low volume days, while target percentages usually include a minimum production safeguard to ensure bonuses are paid only after the office reaches a certain profit level.

For example, an operator may see an opportunity in AR sales and offers the staff $50 whenever at least 10 coatings are sold. Another practitioner may simply offer a bonus whenever 50% of the total spectacle sales includes an AR coating. Either program illustrates an effective benchmarking system.

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Senior centers, assisted living facilities, and retirement homes are places where you can speak and provide practical health information on cataracts, glaucoma, and other common age-related eye complications that senior patients experience.

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