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Physician Law Blog

We provide insights and analysis for physicians, nurses, chiropractors, dentists, physical therapists and other health professionals on issues impacting their practices.

Physician Law Blog
March 9, 2014

Another HIPAA Breach -  Encryption Matters

The Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights, the division responsible for investigating HIPAA breaches, has said repeatedly encryption is one of the most basic things providers and business associates can implement to protect patient information. "Pay attention to encryption," said Susan McAndrew, deputy director for health information privacy at OCR, speaking at HIMSS14 this past month, particularly for any devices that can leave the office. "We're interested in protecting the data. You may be interested in protecting the property. We want to turn this into property losses as opposed to data losses."

Physician Law Blog
February 13, 2014

Anti-Kickback Law is serious - DaVita to pay $389 million to settle anti-kickback claims

DaVita HealthCare Partners said it will pay $389 million to settle criminal and civil anti-kickback investigations and plans to end joint ventures with kidney doctors involving 28 dialysis clinics. A statement DaVita released Tuesday said the settlement will include payment of about $389 million, the appointment of an independent compliance monitor and new restrictions on some of the joint ventures it has reached with nephrologists. The company also said it will enter into a corporate integrity agreement, a standard practice in such settlements.