Email risk
Although email is used every day by almost every organization, it is inherently insecure and the risks of using this type of data transmission for PHI are not fully appreciated.

When a company or organization uses an internet fax service that utilizes fax-to-email or email-to-fax to transport the document, that email content gets read and stored multiple times en route by ISPs, servers, firewalls, virus checkers and, perhaps more worryingly, unscrupulous ‘bots’ that harvest email data. Additionally, IT staff members may be able to access these emails, perhaps using traffic monitors or packet sniffers (that look for particular content or key words), at any of the points at which an email might be stored or through which it transits.

It is not just the email content that is at risk either: typically 30% of emails contain attachments which are also at risk at each and every stage above. Some fax-to-email providers claim to use protocols that ‘encrypt’ the attachment but in truth all this does is put a ‘wrapper’ around that document which if decrypted means the unauthorized party has the entire document intact.

However, most fax-to-email providers use unencrypted emails which can be easily intercepted by unauthorized parties, sometimes with malicious intent. The consequences are serious and can result in significant fines, loss of customers and, possibly, business failure.

Penalties
The current penalties for HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) violations are $25,000 to $1.5million, depending on the scale and nature of the violation. Furthermore, an individual who knowingly discloses individually identifiable health information may face a criminal penalty of $50,000 and a one-year imprisonment. Many providers do believe they comply with the latest HIPAA encryption regulations but in reality they may only be ‘compliant’ in a very limited set of circumstances, which require high levels of IT support.

A further point to note on the regulations above, is that if an unencrypted email that contains PHI is sent across the internet, a violation of HIPAA may have occurred even if the email was not intercepted. The fact that it was available for review by an ISP or a third party is enough to expose penalties under HIPAA.

In addition, fax-to-email systems make it difficult, it not impossible, to track missing faxes. Often there is no genuine audit trail at all and there are major limitations in tracking document delivery.

Organizations that wish to successfully compete in the healthcare sector must deploy appropriate technologies to protect documents and data, at rest and during transmission. Failure to do so not only risks day-to-day patient confidentiality but can also jeopardize an organization itself through potential fine, reduction in customer confidence and loss of business. However,it is possible to put a number of physical, organizational and technical measures in place to protect PHI and ensure HIPAA compliance.

Submitted by Aleks Szymanski CEO, SecureCare Technologies, Inc. The company has spent 10 years harnessing smart messaging and secure fax solutions and today it provides Sfax – a ‘double encrypted’ HIPAA-compliant fax service for the healthcare sector which includes 256-bit SSL Certification and 2048-bit private keys.

Author: Aleks Szymanski
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

• Designed to pay out an Income not lump sum on accident or sickness. It usually has a waiting or deferred period from 4/8/13/26/52 weeks. PHI Benefits are currently paid out tax-free on claim until you return to work or plan end date. Income Insurance Benefits may be level or inflation linked. Medical evidence may be required and a medical examination for those with health issues. Premiums may be guaranteed or reviewable. Cover may be based on maximum of 50% to 65% of your taxable income. If your self-employed terms usually based on annual net profits. Waiver of Premium is where the Insurer waives/protects & covers your premiums after a deferred period of 4/8/13/26 weeks due to sickness or accident.
• If you are an employee and you fall ill, your employer might pay you your full pay for a few weeks or months. By law, an employer currently must pay most employees statutory illness pay for up to 28 weeks, though this will probably be a lot less than your full earnings. After that, you would probably have to rely on state benefits. If you are self-employed then you will not have this option.

So what is a good way to protect your income? The answer is take out PHI Insurance.

How does Income Protection Cover work?

• “PHI Income Insurance” does not allow you to be better off sick than well. So the maximum amount of income you can replace is the after-tax earnings you have lost, less an adjustment for any Uk State benefits you can possibly claim.
• If you are employed this means that dependent on the Insurer – 50%/65% of your gross income but then paid out tax free. If self employed then this is usually based on last 12 months annual net profits. Note that the old PHI Insurance rules used to be based on 75% of income but then taxable (so beware of changing these old plans without advice).
• Different rules also apply for executive PHI or Group PHI.However, some employers arrange group income insurance protection for their employees as a perk of their job, which can pay out an long term illness income after the statutory sick period. So check what you are entitled to.

Why not just take out Critical Illness Cover instead?

• Critical illness cover pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a life-threatening condition for example cancer, heart attack, stroke, diabetes etc; listed in the policy. It is a possible cheaper and simpler alternative to Income Insurance. But there are lots of common situations when Critical illness would not pay out – for example, if you had back problems or a stress-related illness. Additionally, not all occurrences of the critical illnesses listed are covered, for example some early stages of cancer are not covered. Ideally you should have both plans if your budget allows this. For more information on this & costs get Critical illness cover quote or talk to a professional broker.

Is PHI Income Insurance the same as Accident, Sickness & Unemployment or Mortgage Payment Protection Cover?

• Accident, Sickness & Unemployment insurance can also be referred to as Mortgage Payment Protection insurance or redundancy insurance and will provide you with an income to meet your expenses if you are off work sick, have an accident or are made redundant. It pays out a monthly benefit to cover your mortgage and other related costs but for a limited period.
• You may choose the amount of benefit you would like to receive, although there are some limits on the maximum amount. The premium will be a percentage of the amount of monthly benefit you would like to receive. Benefits are usually payable for a maximum of 12 or 24 months unlike Income Insurance which may pay up to when you retire usually age 65. Some policies will also allow you to choose whether you want to receive benefits for accident and sickness only, unemployment only or all three. Most policies will also have a deferment period of usually 30 days. This is the period of time you will have to wait after losing your source of income until you may claim the policy benefit. Thank you for reading this article on PHI Income Insurance

Martyn Spencer
Bsc( Hons)Cert PFS

SENIOR FINANCIAL ADVISER PROTECTION
For more information visit Uk Life Insurance Quotes

Author: Martyn Spencer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Phi In Art

The use of phi when painting the human form or many natural elements helps the artist to establish the most visually appealing proportions for the contents of the painting. In figurative painting phi is used to create the correct balance between elements of the face, the body and the composition to canvas. The Golden Ratio is evident in many areas of the human body including the ear canal, the separation between the between the pupils as compared with the separation between the eyebrows, the spacing between the mouth, chin, nose and forehead, the ratio between the legs and the torso and the segmentation of the fingers. Although few humans display these exact proportions extensive research by the Marquardt Beauty Analysis has found that the closer a person’s physical appearance aligns to the Golden Ratio the more beautiful he/she is considered to be.

In nature, the Golden Ratio can be found in the shape of our galaxy, the crest of a wave, the branches of a tree, pine cones, flowers, shells and various other elements. In fact the prevalence of the ratio in our world is thought to be the reason for the inherent sense of beauty created when it is used in visual art.

How to Lay Out a Phi Based Canvas

To properly lay out a phi designed canvas draw a diagonal from one corner to the opposite, from that diagonal draw a line at 90 degrees to a third corner. Then draw horizontal and vertical lines through the intersection point. If the grid is not to be subsequently divided the intersection point should be the focal point of the composition (often this is the horizon line). Countless subdivisions can be created to ensure balance throughout the work.

Examples of phi based art can be found in the works of Da Vinci, Raphael, Monet, Dali and countless others. Da Vinci spent years perfecting his “phi framework” and used it throughout his art as well as his design work.

Perhaps Pacioli was referring to the sense of perfection he felt when viewing art designed around phi.

Figurative and classical oil painting techniques using phi.

Author: Dianne Grant
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Naturally with all these available beaches there may be some question about which ones you have to visit, which are the best of the best. Here are 4 of the most popular Phi Phi beaches that I feel everyone should come to see.

Long Tong Beach – This beach is in northern Phi Phi and is accessible only by longtail boat. This factor makes the beach secluded and a perfect choice if you are looking for quiet and solitude. In addition, the beach is right across from the smaller islands of Koh Yung and Koh Phai and these two islands provide some outstanding snorkeling for those who want to get underwater and see the fantastic marine life.

Loh Dalum – This beach is opposite Tonsai Bay and can be reached by walking from Tonsai. It is a stunning crescent shaped beach with the bay in front the stuff that travel guide books are made of. Because it is close to Tonsai there are still some restaurants, shops and bars here, but the pace is much slower than the main area of Tonsai. It’s a great beach to just chill out on and is perfect for those making a day trip from Phuket or Krabi.

Long Beach – Long beach has some of the softest sand of all the Phi Phi beaches. Snorkeling is also possible from the beach and there are some stunning corals and fishes to be seen just meters from the beach. If you plan on coming to Long Beach avoid the low season (May-October) because the water can be rough making swimming difficult.

Maya Bay – Possibly the most famous beach in all of Thailand thanks to the fact that it was the setting for the movie The Beach in 1999. It is quite stunning, with high limestone cliffs on three sides of the bay and several small beaches in this sheltered area. The entire bay is a large coral reef and the main beach is perfectly white sand fringed by palm trees. Many day trips come to Maya Bay and it’s a great place to get some photos, go snorkeling or just have a picnic lunch and relax.

Find out more about Koh Phi Phi and where to go on Koh Phi Phi by visiting the authors website.

Author: Steven Walters
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

As I said, the cheaper way to travel to Koh Phi Phi is via the public ferry. Whether you are leaving from Phuket or Krabi, there are ferries that make the crossing to Phi Phi on a daily basis. The ferry from Krabi leaves from the pier in Krabi town 3 times a day (10:30, 14:30 and 16:00) and the trip takes about 90 minutes. The cost is just 250 baht which is less than $10.

Ferries from Phuket also take about 90 minutes, but will cost you almost double or 450 baht. They leave from Rasada pier daily at 8:30 and 13:30. In either case, the ferry will drop you at Tonsai Bay in Koh Phi Phi and if your hotel or resort is located elsewhere on the island you will need to arrange for transport from there to your hotel. This isn’t too difficult as there are many longtail boats at Tonsai willing to take you to most any point on the island.

If cost isn’t a factor and you just want to get to Phi Phi as quickly as possible then your best bet is to charter a speedboat. This is undoubtedly the quickest way to get to the island as well as the most convenient. Speedboats can make the crossing and have you back on land on Phi Phi in as little as 45 minutes. Even better, many speedboats can drop you on the beach by your hotel so you can shave even more travel time off your trip.

You can expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000 baht per person for this luxury. Costs can be somewhat higher than that during the high season and depending on your ability to barter with the speedboat captain. You can also cut the cost per person quite a bit if you have a larger party. There are speedboats that can accommodate up to 20 passengers and if you can fill one of these your cost might be close to the same as taking the ferry.

If you plan on taking a speedboat then plan on leaving by 16:00 as the speedboat captains prefer to get back before night falls. You can get a speedboat from either Phuket or Krabi.

Looking for more Koh Phi Phi information? Simply head over to the authors guide to Koh Phi Phi for details and itineraries.

Author: Steven Walters
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Phi Phi Island, also known as PP Island is just a couple of hours away from Phuket and Krabi in Thailand. So if you are visiting any of these places, you must come to the truly incredible PP. A few years back Phi Phi Island was completely destroyed by the Tsunami (this was actually the second worst affected place by the giant waves), however everything has now been wonderfully restored. Perhaps the facilities are now better than they were before.

Coming to the Phi Phi Island

The Island is very close to both Phuket and Krabi. Just head to the pier in any of these two cities, catch the ferry and you would be arriving at the Phi Phi Island in just a few hours. All ferries to the island will take you to the Ao Ton Sai beach. If you are staying somewhere close, you can just hop out and walk to your resort. And if you are staying at the Long Beach or on the other side of the island, then you must take another boat that will take you to your resort. If you have a previous booking, often the resort will also send a boat for you.

Another way to reach the PP Island is by taking the sea plane. Get aboard the short flight and you will get an amazing view of the sea and the rocks. It offers a completely different perspective.

Tours to the Phi Phi Island

There are two kinds of trips to the the Island. You could come here on a day trip and get back to Phuket or Krabi by the evening, or you could decide to stay here for a few days. Both of these tours are very popular, but of course if you are a day-tripper, you will miss out on the many attractions of the island. For instance, you won’t be able to camp at Maya Bay, where Lionardo Di Caprio’s “The Beach” was filmed, and you can’t enjoy the Full Moon Parties at PP.

But you can still see the major attractions of PP like the Phi Phi Leh and the Phi Phi Don islands, the Bamboo Island, Mosquito Island, Monkey Beach, the Viking Cave, Pileh Cove, and of course the Maya Bay and Ao Ton Sai. Your trip for PP will leave in the morning and return you to your hotel room by the evening.

You can book a day trip to see all the attractions if you are staying on the island as well. The long tail or the speed boat will take you around all the places, provide lunch at Bamboo Island, and bring you back as you witness an amazing sunset on the Andaman Sea.

Find the most fantastic Phi Phi Island tour at great price. Check out the best tour that is available at this time.

Author: Chutipawn Mahapawnprajak
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

The area that is generally referred to as Phi Phi is comprised of the islands of Koh PhiPhi Don and Koh PhiPhi Leh. While most people choose to stay in the area of Koh PhiPhi Don, which offers abundant resort options as well as an extremely active and diverse nightlife scene, much of Phi Leh has managed to resist the pressures of development and has retained its intense natural beauty. Boat trips from Ko Phi Phi Leh offer visitors the chance to explore the area and the waters here are a popular diving Phi Phi site.

The clear waters, stunning violet tinged coral and colourful fish all contribute to making the waters around Koh Phi Phi an excellent place for scuba diving and snorkeling. Boat trips from the mainland generally last for at least six hours and are extremely popular. These trips are often combined with the chance to snorkel and explore the pretty and virtually undeveloped island.

The waters around the island are known for their gentle currents and divers and snorkellers will have the chance to swim amongst octopus, stingrays, reef sharks, shoals of multi-coloured fish and giant barracuda as they cavort in the cool, clear waters. Diving Phi Phi is an unforgettable experience and it should come as no surprise to find that many people return here year after year to repeat the experience.

Enrolling in diving lessons is simple as a large number of companies can be found on Koh P P Don. Most courses are run in English by experienced Western divers and this is also an excellent place to earn scuba certification. A full course will cost somewhere in the region of 15,000 baht, which is an excellent price.

After spending a day or two diving, visitors will want to take the time to explore this fascinating part of the world on foot. The main tourist hub here is Koh P P Don, and this is where the majority of the area’s accommodation as well as the biggest bars and restaurants can be found. However, many other parts of Phi Phi remain mostly undeveloped. In order to get a real feel for the area, visitors should follow the steep winding path that leads up 1,000 feet through the jungle to Viewpoint. Although not for the faint of heart, those who make it to the top will be treated to stunning views of the entire island and the surrounding waters.

The Adventure Club are the most popular dive school on Koh Phi Phi and experts in Diving Phi Phi

For more information related to diving Thailand check out divingthailand.co.uk

Author: Jacques W Cousteau
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

There are a lot of things to accomplish in Phuket. One of the best traveler’s adventures is Phi Phi Island Tour. It is situated between the western part of Andaman Sea and the huge Island of Phuket. In the event you choose to explore the Phi Phi Island, exhilarating excursion awaits you!

Applauded throughout the globe, this Island is really a component from the Maritime Park. The exotic beaches surrounded with palm bushes and dazzling monoliths fashioned by limestone are generally two from the main attractions that maintain guests coming back to Phi Phi Island each and every year. Phi Phi Island Tour is one of the main reason why tourists love to go back in Thailand. The wide ranging landscapes from the seaside were exhibited within the Hollywood film ‘The Beach’ that is an additional motive behind its attractiveness.

In considering Phi Phi Island Tour, looking for the place to stay is really not a nerve wracking task. The Island is surrounded by a well-known and established hotels and resorts. The Vacation Inn Resort probably known as one of the most luxurious Phuket seaside resort, has 77 suites approximately cost 6500 Baths. In the event you want to experience the same amount of pleasure, you can visit Phi Phi IS Cabana Hotel at a reasonable cost of 4950 Baths per room. This accommodation has 162 suites, equipped with fashionable amenities and best facilities. There are lot of inexpensive seaside vacation rentals in Phuket begin at just 1500 Baths which is similar to $45 USD for every night!

Katathani is an additional treasure of several Phuket seaside rental accommodations. It is the best option for travelers who’re searching for an impressive beach front property that offers astonishing relaxation. Those who’re carried out along with their sea bathe and sun tanning sessions, can merely chill out on the comfy poolside in this particular resort. You can also select your desired meals at 6 various in-house dining establishments. Traditional European and Thai cuisine are prepared to satisfy the expectations of travelers coming from different part all over the globe. Here, the actual attendants will indulge with sufficient exclusive care and invigorating spa treatments. Great deals of relaxation and sports are obtainable for your every day dose of amusement where you could simply enjoy your Phi Phi Island Tour!

Numerous Phuket seaside resorts provides outstanding assistance such as Cape Panwa Hotel and Spa, Andaman Sea View Resort, Le meridian, Thara Patong seaside vacation resort and spa and more. Staying in one of these major resorts will surely make your stay an unforgettable and memorable one.

Are you excited on your Phi Phi Island Tour? Discover and see for yourself the top secrets why tourists love to come back in the exotic Phi Phi Island!

Visit one of the most exquisite place in Thailand. Choose on the Best place where you fit in! Include Phi Phi Island Tour on your lists! Be mesmerized and experience Phi Phi Island Tour now!

Author: Carl George N Hayes
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Income Protection insurance is designed to replace most of your income if you become injured or ill and cannot work. While all personal insurance is important, Income Protection is a particularly significant part of your financial well-being as your ability to earn an income is perhaps the most valuable asset you have.

Consider the possibility that you were to become injured and were unable to work for several months. Could you continue to meet your monthly commitments like mortgage repayments, telephone bills, and rent?

There are several common options that you should understand when deciding on which income protection policy to choose and some of these are listed below:

HOW DOES INCOME PROTECTION INSURANCE WORK?

Being too ill to work is likely to affect your earnings. What this effect may be, and how soon it will happen, will depend on your personal circumstances. Income protection insurance is designed to reduce the impact of this loss of earnings.

Under an income protection policy, you pay regular premiums to an insurance company and, in return, they agree that – subject to certain conditions – they will pay you a benefit if you are too ill to work.

Which definition applies to you will be decided when you take out your policy. A number of different definitions of incapacity are used by insurance companies. You should check with the insurer what definitions they use, but the most common ones are:

‘own occupation’ – you will be able to claim if your incapacity is sufficient to prevent you from following your own occupation

‘any suited occupation’ – you cannot claim unless you are too ill to carry out your own occupation, and any other occupation to which you are suited, as defined in your policy;

‘any occupation’ – you cannot claim unless you are too ill to carry out any job whatsoever;

‘activities of daily living’ – you can only claim if you are unable to carry out a selection of everyday tasks, such as washing and dressing yourself; and

‘activities of daily working’ – you can only claim if you are unable to carry out a selection of work-related tasks, such as walking, communicating and exercising manual dexterity.

Some of these definitions of incapacity may not be available for certain occupations. The definition that applies to you will have a significant effect on the amount you will have to pay.

There will usually be a period after the start of incapacity before your benefit is paid. This is called the ‘deferred period’.

There is no limit to the number of claims that you can make.

Insurance companies offering income protection will always limit your benefit to an amount less than your normal earnings. This is because income protection benefits are free of personal income tax, and insurers are keen to encourage you to return to work.

HOW CAN I DECIDE WHETHER I NEED INCOME PROTECTION INSURANCE?

You will need to consider what might happen to your income and your expenses if you were too ill to work.

First – calculate your income

Potential income sources will depend on your personal circumstances and a number of factors:

If you are employed:

Your employer may continue to pay you for a limited time. Some employers will only pay Statutory Sick Pay. Others may be more generous. You should check what arrangements your employer has made.

If you are self-employed or a member of a partnership:

Your income will almost certainly cease, although your business may continue to generate income for a short time if, for instance, payment is outstanding for work already completed.

State benefits:

In the longer term you may receive Long Term Incapacity Benefit and other State benefits. Some of these benefits are means-tested, and in most cases there are conditions that have to be met, such as your having paid sufficient National Insurance contributions.

You should note that the amounts of, and eligibility conditions for, State benefits may change in the future.

Savings and investments:

If you have savings, these may produce income that will not be affected by your incapacity. Cashing in some investments earlier than planned may, however, result in a financial loss. Such savings may also affect your eligibility for some State benefits.

Pension payments:

If you are receiving a pension from a previous job this is likely to continue despite your incapacity.

Early retirement:

You may be able to start receiving an early retirement pension. This will depend on the rules of the pension scheme(s) to which you belong, and may also be at your employer’s discretion. Remember, any pension which starts early is likely to be significantly lower than if you had worked until normal retirement age.

Alternative employment:

Second – calculate your expenses

If you are too ill to work for a long period of time, the way you spend your money may well alter. You need to consider how your expenses might change.

Ongoing costs:

Some types of expenses will continue. These include mortgage, rent and other housing costs, council tax, gas and electricity bills, etc. Some expenses may be covered by specific insurances (although it is common for such cover to be limited, say, to a year from when you become too ill to work). You should check whether your mortgage, hire purchase, credit card or loan repayments or pension contributions are covered by this kind of insurance.

WHEN MIGHT I NEED INCOME PROTECTION INSURANCE?

Having considered the effect on your income and your expenses, do you think that you could cope with your changed circumstances if you were too ill to work? If so, for how long could you cope? If your calculations reveal a probable shortfall, you should seriously consider taking out income protection insurance.

WHEN MIGHT I NOT NEED INCOME PROTECTION INSURANCE?

When:

You have sufficient income from other sources:
Your employer has comprehensive arrangements in place:
You could live on State benefits:

If you compare your income with State benefits, and feel that these will meet your needs, then you will not need income protection insurance.

You should note that the Benefits Agency will use their own definition of incapacity when deciding whether you can receive State benefits. This definition may not be the same one your insurer would use.

IF I DECIDE TO BUY INCOME PROTECTION INSURANCE, WHAT DECISIONS DO I NEED TO MAKE?

Most insurance companies will offer a range of different policies. The overall cost of a policy is likely to be an important consideration. You should remember that, in general terms, the broader the scope of the cover, the greater the cost. For example, ‘own occupation’ cover is likely to be more expensive than ‘any occupation’ cover. The exact cost will depend on a number of factors, including your age, sex, occupation and medical history.

You also need to:

Choose how long to wait before your benefit becomes payable:

You can usually choose from a range of possible deferred periods. You will probably wish to match this to your personal circumstances so that, for instance, if your employer will pay you for six months, the benefit from your income protection insurance policy starts after that time. You may consider that an interval, between when your employer stops paying you and when income from your income protection policy starts, would also be acceptable. The longer the deferred period, the cheaper your policy will be.

Choose how long you wish your cover to last:

This will usually also be the maximum period for which benefit will be paid if you are too ill to work. It may be sensible to link this with your normal retirement age, but remember that the longer the term of your policy, the more expensive it is likely to be.

Choose whether the premium you pay should be fixed or could change. You may be able to choose between:

Guaranteed rates – the amount you pay is fixed in advance. The amount you pay cannot be changed by your insurer, except in agreed circumstances (e.g. to rise in line with inflation).

Reviewable rates – your insurer can change the amount it charges you in the light of its costs, overall claims experience etc. This rate does not depend on any claims that you have made. Usually, no change can be made by your insurer during the early period of your policy.

Renewable rates – premiums are set for a fixed period. At the end of that time, you have the right to continue your plan, and your insurance company will set the premium level for a further fixed period, based on your age at that time.

The type of rate you choose will affect the amount you pay. Initially, guaranteed rates are likely to be the most expensive. But over a period of years, renewable rates may become more expensive, since they will increase as you grow older.

WHAT OTHER KINDS OF HEALTH PROTECTION PRODUCTS ARE THERE?

Insurance can give you the resources to cope when you encounter unexpected misfortune. Most people see good health as being very important, as it makes other aspects of life possible.

Accident, sickness and unemployment cover

Accident, sickness and unemployment insurance typically provides benefit for a limited period. A common form of this type of insurance is Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance which usually covers your mortgage payments for a maximum of 12 or 24 months in the case of accident, sickness or redundancy. There is usually a waiting period before payments are made of either 30 or 60 days.

You will need to decide which of these risks concern you, and then select the product(s) which meet your needs.

Bluestone Asset Management is a fee based independent financial adviser firm based in London. We provide free interactive learning modules about finance and money on our main site http://www.bluestoneam.co.uk

** Attn Ezine editors / Site owners ** Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed above.

If you do use the material please send us a note so we can take a look. Many Thanks.

Author: Jack Cardenas-Storey
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Healthcare providers should not throw PHI, more so your paper, into the trash. You may think of patient privacy exclusively in terms of protecting electronic patient data, but paper files are also likely to be compromised in the same manner.

In fact, even if we can move to 50 or 60 percent of medical practices going electronic in the coming few years, paper elimination is a long way off. As such, you should ensure any PHI stored on paper in your office is secure.

In fact, even before the HITECH Act came into being, practices were always advised to handle PHI securely, whether on paper or stored electronically.

Secondly, you should make it a point to know that patients are aware. The HITECH Act imposed an affirmative obligation on the government agency overseeing the HIPAA program to investigate compliance breaches. Earlier it was driven by complaints only, but now they have an obligation to affirmatively audit and monitor.

Don’t Forget the Front You may be compromising patient data in other ways besides electronic and paper breaches. Perform a walkthrough in your practice or organization to ensure that no other leaks exist.

The government on its part has been hiring people to ensure compliance and will be providing education programs to the public. And we’re expecting a lot of awareness and for patients to be asking more questions about the use of their private health information going forward.

Provides free weekly newswire of healthcare it technology and offers advanced Learning Opportunities how to protect electronic patient data in EHR technology for health care executives.

Author: Jaun Paul
Article Source: EzineArticles.com