HIPAA Training in Florida

HIPAA training in Florida provides specialty information to those who wish to receive certification in an area offered by HIPAA. In 1996, HIPAA required anyone that dealt with patient information undergo training and become certified in the areas of security and privacy. HIPAA’s intent is to improve the security and privacy of patient information. HIPAA also is designed to reform healthcare costs and improve administrative processes in the workplace. HIPAA is noted as being the most important healthcare legislation since the 1965 implementation of Medicare. Onsite, offsite, and online training programs are available for the HIPAA program.

Argosy University

Master
Master of Arts (MA) in Mental Health Counseling
Sarasota, Tampa

South University - Campus

Bachelor
Bachelor of Science in Health Science
West Palm Beach, Tampa

Keiser University

Bachelor
Health Science, BS (Online Only)
Hollywood, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, West Palm Beach, Tampa

ITT Technical Institute

Associate
School of Health Sciences
Fort Lauderdale, Lake Mary, Miami, Tampa

Everest University

Associate
Assisted Living Administrator
Melbourne

HIPAA Compliance Issues

If your medical group transmits or stores patient information in an electronic format, you need to stay in compliance with HIPAA regulations, which are designed to ensure patients' security and privacy. The price for HIPPA compliance violations can be high: civil penalties range from $100 to $50,000 per violation while criminal penalties for knowingly violating the statute can result in imprisonment and fines up to $250,000. Although the law can be complex, you can implement strategies that help you and your staff observe the law properly. Check out these steps for avoiding HIPAA compliance issues:

  • Designate a privacy officer

The law requires the appointment of a designated privacy official who, among other responsibilities, will develop and implement the policies that keep your organization in compliance. This includes everything from creating the privacy policy to determining how it will be supplied to patients.

  • Develop personal health information (PHI) procedures

When it comes to PHI, there is a dizzying range of situations your office will handle on a daily basis. For example, if you manage a medical office and a patient says, "Don't tell my wife what's wrong with me", how will the staff know about the request? Or what information will you provide to a caller who tells you he's the patient's estranged brother? Implementing policies will help your organization handle the day-in, day-out requests will help you stay on top of HIPAA.

  • Document, document and document

One way to show compliance is by keeping comprehensive records documenting what actions your group is taking. For example, you might consider using an acknowledgement of patients’ receipt of your Notice of Privacy Practice (NPP) or a signed authorization for release of info other than that needed for treatment, payment, or health care operations. By keeping good records, you can avoid the HIPAA compliance violations that lead to expensive fines.

  • Train employees

Ensuring that staff has appropriate training regarding patient information is a must-have when it comes to compliance with federal law. Although the Department of Health and Human Services does not dictate how organizations train employees, it's critical to make every effort to ensure it's done thoroughly. Training is appropriate for directors, physicians, non-physician providers, clinical staff, administrators, management, billing staff, and office staff. A professional training program will teach the staff how HIPAA impacts their job as well as what they need to do to be in compliance.

  • Determine your "business associates"

These groups are anyone who does work on your behalf or for you. It could be an off-site medical records storage firm or a billing company that sends documents to clients. When you identify which partners might have access to patients' PHI, you'll need to enter a contract in which they agree to protect the information.

  • Have an overall strategy

HIPAA compliance is not an area where you can fly by the seat of your pants. Without a plan that addresses every necessary aspect of the regulations, you open your practice up to scrutiny and you open up your patients' private records for misuse.

A smart HIPAA strategy should include:

  • A strategic plan to identify the resources and checkpoints needed to avoid HIPAA violations.
  • An assessment to determine the impact the law will have on your business or organization
  • Policies and procedures for complying with the federal law
  • Regular review to ensure your group or organization continues to be in compliance

Other cities in Florida

Online Schools

The following is a list of schools that offer online HIPAA Training programs.

Independence University

  • AS - Allied Health
  • MS - Public Health

OTHER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN FLORIDA

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, , Florida 32307
Telephone:(850) 599-3000
http://www.famu.edu

Florida International University

11200 S. W. 8 Street, Miami, Florida 33199
Telephone:(305) 348-2000
http://www.fiu.edu

Gulf Coast College

3910 US Hwy 301 N Suite 200, Tampa, Florida 33619
Telephone:(813) 620-1446
http://gulfcoastcollege.net/

Medical Career Institute of South Florida

1750 45th St., West Palm Beach, Florida 33407
Telephone:(561) 296-0824
http://www.mcisf.com

University of Central Florida

4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32816
Telephone:(407) 823-2000
http://www.ucf.edu/