HIPAA enforcement
HIPAA is enforced by the Office of Civil Rights, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2009 with enactment of the HITECH (Health Information in Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) Act, the maximum penalty per HIPAA violation was increased to $1.5million. Since early 2011 there have been numerous large fines and penalties levied on health care providers, institutions, and health insurance carriers. Learn more by clicking the links below.
First civil monetary penalty for HIPAA violation: Maryland insurance carrier fined $4.3 million
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/02/20110222a.html
One of the nation’s oldest and largest hospitals fined $1 million for losing patient information, including patients with HIV/AIDS
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/02/20110224b.html
$100,000 fine of five-physician surgical group in Phoenix, AZ designed to send message to small physician practices
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/04/20120417a.html
“Tip of the Iceberg” USB drive lost by Alaska dept. of Health and Social Services leads to investigation and $1.7 million fine
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/06/20120626a.html
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee fined $1.5 million for loss of unencrypted hard drives
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/03/20120313a.html
Lost laptop by Massachusetts Eye and Ear physician triggers investigation and $1.5 million fine
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/09/20120917a.html
HIPPOmsg allows the transfer of healthcare information from physician to physican on-line (HIPPO). HIPPOmsg is a secure messaging network for healthcare providers to communicate quickly and efficiently – while ensuring HIPAA compliance. Using hippomsg.com, we can instantly communicate about our patients instead of having to wait on hold or track down a physician’s office back-line number. Available as a webpage or as a mobile app, HIPPOmsg was created by healthcare providers, for healthcare providers. HIPPOmsg allows for secure texting among healthcare providers. And its free!
Texting for healthcare providers
Texting protected health information (PHI) is illegal! HIPPOmsg allows for secure texting for doctors, medical students, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and licensed independent practitioners.
Nurses can visit our sister site, NURSEmsg, to communicate with their colleagues and other healthcare providers.
Streamlining communications
HIPPOmsg provides one location for secure, HIPAA-compliant communication among healthcare providers. This is a simple, easy to use service, which eliminates the need to search online or through fragmented medical record databases to reach colleagues. It is no longer necessary to deal with the frustration of endless phone messages, interruptions, and call-backs to exchange protected healthcare information. HIPPOmsg is a secure messaging network that provides easy access to the providers you need, right when you need them.
Ensuring compliance
HIPPOmsg has been tested and verified to be secure and HIPAA compliant. Independent compliance experts have been engaged at every step to ensure this service is HIPAA compliant for both web and mobile use.
Adapting with technology
Healthcare is notoriously slow to adapt to changes in technology, and sometimes for good reason. However, mobile technology is revolutionizing communication, and the medical field cannot remain in the exception to this rule indefinitely. Patients demand answers immediately. Healthcare reform necessitates efficiency. The days of paper letters and delayed dictation are nearing an end. HIPPOmsg allows providers to take advantage of technology and seamlessly weave it into their practice.
