Rx2000HIPAA Digest, Volume 14 > > #1 From: smpulz@nycpic.com Subject: Claim Encounters > #2 From: aeby@umcaz.edu Subject: RE: Alpha pagers > #3 From: rikash@nihcc.com Subject: Re: Cell Phones > #4 From: PRESSER@GNYHA.org Subject: RE: Claim Encounters > #5 From: Sslazarus@aol.com Subject: Re: Alpha pagers > #6 From: Pam.Klugman@blueshieldca.com Subject: RE: Claim Encounters > #7 From: Woosleew@aol.com Subject: Do't split hairs > #8 From: RTelesca@gigaweb.com Subject: RE: Alpha pagers > > > ********** Message #1 ********** > From: smpulz@nycpic.com > To: rx2000hipaa@rx2000.org > Subject: Claim Encounters > Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 14:11:17 -0400 > > I'm sure this is a really basic question so please forgive me, but could > someone please clarify for me the terminology of claim transactions and > encounters? I'm quite familiar with a claim, but specifically, what > is meant by an "encounter"? Thanks! > > SPulz > HealthNow, NY > > > ********** Message #2 ********** > From: aeby@umcaz.edu > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: Alpha pagers > Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 12:53:22 -0700 > > I say, yes, indeedy...! > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [SMTP:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > > Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2000 12:02 PM > > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > > Subject: Alpha pagers > > > > > > since we're on cell phones let me throw another one in here... > > > > Does anyone have information whether alpha messages sent to pagers > > containing patient information would come under the security regs????? > > > > > > > > Larry Morgan, RPh > > Manager, Clinical Systems > > North Mississippi Health Services > > 812 Varsity Dr. > > Tupelo, Ms 38801 > > > > > > > > ********** Message #3 ********** > From: rikash@nihcc.com > To: > Subject: Re: Cell Phones > Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2000 11:42:14 -0500 > > Our facility is starting to deal with the conflict between increased > efficiency of our healthcare professionals wanting to use the technology and > the concerns surrounding confidentiality and risk of medical equipment > malfunction resulting from frequency "confusion." > > If anyone would be willing to share policies/procedures and data supporting > the use of cell phones, we would greatly appreciate your help. > > Richard Ash > CEO > Northern Itasca Health Care Center > Bigfork, MN 56628 > RickAsh@nihcc.sisunet.org > 218-743-3177 voice > 218-743-3559 fax > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: > To: > Sent: Friday, April 28, 2000 10:35 AM > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > > > > > > > > ******************************************************** > > ** Note from Rx2000: > > ** If anyone is willing to make available their policies, we would be > > happy to post > > ** them (anonymously or with attribution) in the Self-Help Materials > > section of > > ** the Rx2000 website at http://www.rx2000.org . Please send them to > > ** info@rx2000.org . Thank you. > > ** -- Rx2000 Listserv Moderator > > ******************************************************** > > > > > > > > It seems as if this is the topic of the day! I am currently looking into > > (researching that is) modifying our cell phone policies. I would be > > interested in seeing anyone else's if willing to share and would be glad > to > > pass on my revised policy once modified. Any takers? > > > > > > Brian G. Gager > > IS Planning & Research Analyst > > Carondelet Health > > Kansas City, MO > > Phone: (816) 943-5991 > > Fax: (816) 943-2896 > > > > > ********** Message #4 ********** > From: PRESSER@GNYHA.org > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: RE: Claim Encounters > Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2000 20:24:11 -0400 > > > An encounter is nothing more than the record of a healthcare visit. It is > usually viewed as the document that is generated at the time of the visit to > record the demographic and treatments rendered to the patient. The claim is > generated from the "encounter" data. > Stewart Presser > Greater New York Hospital Association > presser@gnyha.org > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Sent: 04/28/2000 2:11 PM > Subject: Claim Encounters > > > I'm sure this is a really basic question so please forgive me, but could > someone please clarify for me the terminology of claim transactions and > encounters? I'm quite familiar with a claim, but specifically, what > is meant by an "encounter"? Thanks! > > SPulz > HealthNow, NY > > > > ********** Message #5 ********** > From: Sslazarus@aol.com > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: Re: Alpha pagers > Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2000 21:17:01 EDT > > Nonsense! Only if the alpha page included individually identifiable > information. Phone numbers would be exempt. Please read the Proposed > regulation. > > Steven S. Lazarus, PhD, FHIMSS > Boundary Information Group > > ********** Message #6 ********** > From: Pam.Klugman@blueshieldca.com > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: RE: Claim Encounters > Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 08:41:12 -0700 > > An encounter is a 'non-payable' claim. In other words, if you have a member > covered by a capitated arrangement the provider of service, whether > institutional or professional, etc., is required to submit a record of that > 'encounter' to the health plan. In this day, due to the requirements of the > BBA, this encounter for Medicare members must be reported to the health plan > with the same amount of detail required for a FFS Medicare claim. As a > result of the BBA, both encounters and claims must be forwarded by the > Health Plan to HCFA via an intermediary. Currently only I/P are sent but > professional is required beginning w/DOS 10/1/2000 and O/P Hosp begins > 1/1/2001 for DOS beginning 10/01/2000. > In the commercial world I'm not sure of the exact requirements, but the > encounter must also be reported to the health plan. This information is > utilized for HEDIS reporting and various other reporting. Hope this helps. > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [SMTP:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > > Sent: Friday, April 28, 2000 11:11 AM > > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > > Subject: Claim Encounters > > > > > > I'm sure this is a really basic question so please forgive me, but could > > someone please clarify for me the terminology of claim transactions and > > encounters? I'm quite familiar with a claim, but specifically, what > > is meant by an "encounter"? Thanks! > > > > SPulz > > HealthNow, NY > > > > > > ********** Message #7 ********** > From: Woosleew@aol.com > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: Do't split hairs > Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 13:03:08 EDT > > Over the past 2X years in healthcare management I have been involved with > several licensure and accreditation surveys by various states, accrediting > bodies, and the Feds. I have learned two things: 1. Not to split hairs. If > you do you'll eventually miss and get burned. 2. The most stringent standard > applies, be it state, federal, or accrediting body (like JCAHO, NCQA, CLEA, > or CARF). > > If you just bite the bullet and do it right the surveyors will appreciate it > and tend to give you the benefit of the on some other things you may have > been questionable on. > > A general rule you may want to consider. If it is sent in electronic form, > contains information that identifies a patient and something about their > medical or financial profile it is covered under HIPAA. Whether it is Cell > phone, Palm Pilot (or other PDA), land line, alpha pager, LAN, WAN, FAX, or > some other medium of transmission. > > HIPAA is not the only law out there governing confidentiality of patient > records/information. > > Also, it is easier on the staff to have one uniform policy and procedure for > honoring confidentiality than to have them second guess as to whether or not > it is a covered transmission. Don't make the foolish mistake of, "spending a > dollar to save a dime." > > These words, are mine and do not represent my employer or clients. > > Errick Woosley, MPA > Senior Consultant > 3X HCSG > errick.woosley@3x.com > > ********** Message #8 ********** > From: RTelesca@gigaweb.com > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: Alpha pagers > Date: Mon, 1 May 2000 13:07:28 -0400 > > That may be true, but it is unrealistic. How do you set up a system to > protect only covered data? The reality is that the data will be mixed and > it would be too costly and difficult to identify and protect only covered > data. Therefore most organizations will secure entire databases, servers and > transmissions. > > Richard J. Telesca > ePractices Research > Giga Information Group > 54 Lavender Lane > Rocky Hill, CT 06067 > 860.257.8527 (phone) > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [mailto:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2000 9:17 PM > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: Re: Alpha pagers > > > > Nonsense! Only if the alpha page included individually identifiable > information. Phone numbers would be exempt. Please read the Proposed > regulation. > > Steven S. Lazarus, PhD, FHIMSS > Boundary Information Group >