Small and Large Health Plans Alike Must Comply with HIPAA Security Rule
As part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the HIPAA security regulation focuses on protecting the health information of individuals that is in electronic form, such as that contained in e-mails or on CD-ROMs, networks or the Internet. The HIPAA security rule requires covered entities to take steps to safeguard such electronic protected health information (e-PHI). “Covered entities” are defined as health care clearinghouses, health care providers and health plans—which includes, of course, employer-sponsored health plans.
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Monitoring Dependent Eligibility Can Catch Coverage Errors, Reduce Unnecessary Spending
With health care costs annually on the rise, employers continue to search for ways to get a handle on overspending. One approach that does not involve plan redesign or cutbacks, cost shifting or vendor switching is to make sure that the plan is covering—and paying the claims of—only those individuals who indeed are eligible. Monitoring dependent eligibility through a dependent eligibility audit offers the opportunity to catch coverage errors and cut potentially costly overspending.
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Workplace Programs Target Cancer, The Leading Cause of Disability
For the fifth straight year, cancer was the leading cause of long-term absence in the U.S., according to UnumProvident. In 2005, 12% of the long-term disability claims the insurer received listed cancer as the cause. Next, at 10%, were pregnancy complications and joint/muscle/connective tissue diseases, followed by back injuries and cardiovascular disease at 8%.
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Cost Is Lesser Factor in Assessing Health Care Quality, But Increases Are Affecting Use, Survey Concludes
Americans tend to consider factors other than cost when assessing health care quality, according to the results of the 2005 Health Confidence Survey (HCS) published by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). However, insured Americans who have seen their costs go up are changing the way they use health care, the survey found.
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