HIPAA Today: The Top FAQs You Need to Know and Why to Stay Out of Trouble

Master the latest HIPAA rules and avoid costly sanctions in your healthcare practice.

In today's ever-evolving healthcare landscape, health care practitioners are increasingly facing complex regulatory challenges, particularly when it comes to HIPAA compliance. As the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) continues to evolve through federal regulatory processes, it has become increasingly difficult for practitioners to remain fully compliant. The risks of non-compliance are substantial, with sanctions, severe financial penalties, and potential litigation hanging over the heads of covered entities.

Many healthcare practitioners struggle to keep up with the frequent updates issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the interplay between federal HIPAA regulations and state laws (such as state licensure laws) only adds to the confusion. Without a clear understanding of the top compliance issues and how to address them, health care practitioners are left vulnerable to violations and penalties, which could be avoided with the right knowledge.

The consequences of HIPAA violations can be severe and wide-ranging. Beyond the financial penalties, which can reach into the millions of dollars, practitioners face reputational damage, legal liabilities, and even the loss of their professional license. HIPAA regulations cover the safeguarding of patient information, and failure to comply with these laws can result in legal actions from both patients and the government. Additionally, the legal landscape is constantly shifting as new technologies like telehealth continue to grow, further complicating compliance requirements.

Now more than ever, it is critical for health care practitioners to stay informed and understand the regulatory requirements that impact their day-to-day operations. By proactively addressing these challenges, practitioners can mitigate risks, protect patient data, and safeguard their practices from legal action.

This advanced webinar by HIPAA expert and retired Assistant Attorney General, Mark R. Brengelman provides a comprehensive overview of HIPAA compliance as applied to individual health care practitioners. During the session, Mark will unpack the federal regulatory process of notice and comment rulemaking that shapes HIPAA, providing a deep dive into how these rules have evolved over time.

The session will help practitioners understand the top compliance issues they must address, the intersection of federal and state laws, and how to manage the complexities of HIPAA in everyday practice. Through years of research, reporting, and insight from HHS, this webinar will also clarify the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that health care practitioners need to know, alleviating confusion and ensuring peace of mind.

Attendees will leave the webinar with a clear action plan to stay compliant with HIPAA regulations, avoid penalties, and manage their practices confidently.

Webinar Objectives

• Understand the federal regulatory process behind HIPAA and its ongoing amendments.
• Learn the top compliance issues facing health care practitioners today.
• Recognize the relationship between HIPAA and state licensure laws and how they interact.
• Gain practical knowledge on avoiding common pitfalls related to HIPAA sanctions and penalties.
• Explore special compliance considerations, such as mental health and telehealth disclosures.

Webinar Agenda

• Introduction to Federal Regulatory Process: 
  • Learn about the notice and comment rulemaking that shapes HIPAA and how it impacts health care practitioners.
• Overview of HIPAA and Its Legacy: 
  • Review the history and legacy of HIPAA, focusing on its amendments and lasting implications for practitioners.
• Navigating the Preemption of State Law: 
  • Understand the preemption of state licensure laws by federal HIPAA regulations, and how to manage compliance on both levels.
• Key Compliance Topics:
  • Authorizations and handling protected health information (PHI)
  • Managing relationships with business associates
  • Disclosures for law enforcement purposes and emergency situations
  • Disclosures required by law and during judicial proceedings
• Special Issues in Mental Health: 
  • Explore the unique challenges of HIPAA compliance in the mental health field, with a focus on safeguarding sensitive patient information.
• Telehealth and Compliance: 
  • Delve into the complexities of telehealth services and how HIPAA applies in a rapidly growing digital healthcare environment.
• Best Practices to Avoid Penalties: 
  • Learn how to develop a proactive compliance strategy to reduce risk, avoid penalties, and ensure legal protection.

Webinar Highlights

• A deep dive into the federal regulatory process that governs HIPAA compliance.
• Insights on the pre-emption of state laws by federal HIPAA regulations.
• Key information on authorizations, disclosures, and business associate agreements.
• Focus on compliance in mental health and telehealth fields.
• Practical guidance on avoiding HIPAA sanctions and mitigating financial penalties.
• Closing with a step-by-step guide on best practices to maintain compliance and reduce liability risks.

Who Should Attend

Health care attorneys; corporate compliance officers in health care; medical records staff of medical offices and health care entities; hospital attorneys; health care practitioners who are covered entities; law enforcement officers in health care compliance; state boards and agencies with jurisdiction over state licenses to practice a health care profession