As technology continues to shape the future of healthcare, it is important for healthcare consumers to be aware of potential security and privacy risks. Continuing its commitment to address these growing issues surrounding the privacy and security of health information, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), with the support of Crowe Horwath, will sponsor the seventh annual Health Information Privacy and Security Week, April 11 through 17.
This year’s theme is “United in a Mission To Protect Information.”
AHIMA strives to cultivate a community of informed consumers and believes that quality healthcare through quality information is the key to protection. This wisdom can be achieved through collaboration amongst professionals and healthcare consumers to ensure readiness, action, and a united response to privacy and security issues. Health Information Privacy and Security Week promotes awareness of the critical need for healthcare professionals, institutions, and consumers to protect the privacy, confidentiality, and security of health information. As providers inch toward electronic record-keeping systems, consumers must remain vigilant in monitoring their rights and evolving government regulations. Knowledge, plus a complete, accurate personal health record (PHR), can both enhance quality of care and empower an individual to remedy privacy violations.
Visit www.myphr.com for detailed consumer health information and consumer privacy rights.
While the $440 billion Medicare system is the ultimate goldmine for some criminals, many obtain their stolen rewards by hacking into individual health records. According to CNN, stolen medical information and the resulting fraud costs US taxpayers $100 billion annually. Louis Saccoccio, executive director of the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, said that healthcare identity theft dominated all other health sector crimes in 2009. Victimized patients must pick up the pieces, challenging fraudulent bills and inaccurate medical information.
An MIT Response Checklist developed by AHIMA provides free response guidance for victims of this crime. To access the checklist, visit www.myphr.com, click on the “Privacy + PHRs” button, then “Avoiding Medical Identity Theft.” A link to the checklist appears at the bottom of the page. The health information management (HIM) professionals can provide educational assistance for the protection and confidentiality of your personal health information.
A free educational kit is also available at www.ahima.org/hipsweek. Educational materials in the kit include:
- Suggested activities
- Article and quiz for healthcare professionals
- Article and quiz for consumers
- PowerPoint presentation
About AHIMA
AHIMA is America’s leading professional society whose mission is to “improve healthcare by advancing best practices and standards for health information management (HIM) and [serve as] the trusted source for education, research and professional credentialing.” AHIMA represents more than 56,000 specially educated HIM professionals who serve healthcare and the public by managing, analyzing and utilizing data vital for health system management. www.ahima.org
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