In our professional assessment, many remote billing companies are indeed safe and compliant with HIPAA regulations. However, it's important to note that internet safety and HIPAA compliance are not synonymous. We'll delve into that distinction shortly.
Remote billing companies employ varying software, processes, and management practices, ranging from internally developed methods to outsourcing certain aspects. When considering a potential billing candidate, it is advisable to inquire about their practices. An IT specialist, preferably with experience in supporting dental offices, and someone well-versed in HIPAA data safety regulations would be well-suited for evaluating these aspects.
HIPAA refers to a set of government regulations established by the Health and Human Services (HHS) to safeguard patient information. Within these regulations, the Security Rule specifically governs the electronic storage and transmission of patient data. When exploring remote billing, it is typically the electronic data management that concerns dental offices, which we will focus on here. However, it's important to bear in mind that HIPAA compliance alone may not offer comprehensive protection against all potential risks. HIPAA does not prescribe specific software or detailed processes, and being a law, it may lag behind the latest types of threats.
Practices for offices and remote dental billing need to go beyond HIPAA requirements and be robust and up-to-date. While HIPAA primarily emphasizes patient confidentiality, it does not directly address the prevention of financial data theft or safeguarding against ransomware attacks on dental management systems. The key point is that while HIPAA provides a solid foundation, relying solely on HIPAA compliance may not offer complete peace of mind.
Swift Claims Dental adopts a proactive approach to HIPAA compliance and internet safety. We work with a third-party HIPAA consultant, Compliancy-Group, to provide methods, documentation, external monitoring, education, and problem resolution. Compliancy-Group has an excellent track record of working with remote dental billers. Their monitoring includes penetration testing and random audits to ensure password compliance and adherence to established processes.
In addition to the support from Compliancy-Group, we have our own team of internal experts. Our IT support staff and management possess extensive experience in dental office operations. Leveraging this expertise, Swift Claims Dental's billing processes are designed to minimize the likelihood of HIPAA or other internet safety issues. For instance, at Swift Claims Dental, we keep all your EOBs, deposits, and other relevant data on your own office computers to ensure your safety. Our process aims to provide data security that is on par with, or even superior to, having an in-house biller. While the biller may have access to the patient AR (accounts receivable) during their work, once the work is completed, those records are removed from the biller's computer, and the remaining record and related KPIs (key performance indicators) are stored on your computer.
We understand the concerns surrounding external access to office systems. At Swift Claims Dental, we specify the biller's computer requirements, including virus protection, Wi-Fi standards, password management, and communication standards. Each biller is equipped with VPN (Virtual Private Network) software, which encrypts communications between their computer and the office computer, surpassing HIPAA requirements. Password management for accessing the office system follows the same practices used by your office. Billers' computer-specific passwords are managed with password management software to ensure their strength, regular rotation, and accessibility to Swift Claims Dental's management for monitoring purposes.
Daily communication with dental staff, such as email and document transfers, employs commercially available Windows-based software that has been brought up to HIPAA standards. We also obtain HIPAA Business Associate agreements with the companies providing these products.
With a strong focus on processes and a commitment to internet security and HIPAA compliance, Swift Claims Dental ensures robust protection and ease of management. When selecting a billing company, it is crucial to understand their methods in advance. We are confident that you will find Swift Claims Dental to be a trustworthy choice.
Comments