OIG Finds $784M in Improper Payments, Officials Push HHS to Expand HIPAA
An investigation into the COVID-19 Uninsured Program found hundreds of millions in questionable payments, and lawmakers are pressuring HHS to fortify HIPAA protections.
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By - In healthcare policy news this week, OIG agents report that HRSA’s uninsured program was plagued with claims that never should have been reimbursed. Meanwhile, representatives are pleading with HHS to imbue HIPAA with more robust protections for health data.
ONC Adds 20 Elements to USCDI
The United States Core Data for Interoperability Version 4 (USCDI v4) released by the ONC last week introduced 20 additional elements that focus on facility and location information. The data elements will cover topics like laboratory testing, care planning, emergency responses, and other services. The update also modified eight existing data classes. READ MORE.
HHS and FTC Warn about Third-Party Tracking Tech
On Thursday, a joint letter from HHS and FTC officials warned hospitals and telehealth providers about the cybersecurity threat posed by third-party tracking technology. The technology is often embedded in sites without an organization’s knowledge, and it can offer hackers an open door to exploit.
“Impermissible disclosures of an individual’s personal health information to third parties may result in a wide range of harms to an individual or others. Such disclosures can reveal sensitive information including health conditions, diagnoses, medications, medical treatments, frequency of visits to health care professionals, where an individual seeks medical treatment and more,” the letter stated. READ MORE.
OIG: HRSA Made $784M in Improper Payments
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a bombshell report claiming that the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) made improper payments totaling $784 million to cover costs associated with the COVID-19 Uninsured Program.
OIG auditors reviewed 300 patient interactions and associated provider payments and found 38 instances worth $148,432 where HRSA reimbursed for services already covered under a patient’s insurance. Based on their audit, OIG estimated that $784 million of the $4.2 billion Uninsured Program payments were improper. READ MORE.
Pfizer US Plant Damage May Cause Shortages
Experts predict that a short-term supply chain squeeze could hinder the domestic sterile injectables market after a tornado struck Pfizer’s Rocky Mount manufacturing plant on July 19. The plant produces 400 million sterile injectables annually, accounting for 35% of all hospital sterile injections in the US. Preliminary reporting has suggested that the natural disaster devastated the facility’s warehouse and damaged thousands of pallets of product. READ MORE.
Lawmakers Seek to Expand Proposed HIPAA Rule
A group of Democrats from the House and Senate are spearheading the effort to expand the proposed update of HIPAA regulations. In a letter, the lawmakers asked HHS to ensure that protected health information (PHI) is safeguarded in new rulemaking.
“Americans expect their PHI to be at least as private as their email and text messages, phone calls, and location data. While federal and state courts around the country have recognized the importance of protecting Americans’ medical privacy, HHS’ regulations have lagged,” the lawmakers wrote. READ MORE.
