Anthony Murray and Rita Bowen explain it is crucial that healthcare organizations be detail-oriented and methodical in assessing their business associates. Furthermore, they urge organizations to conduct an assessment of the vendor’s compliance with HIPAA regulations, the integrity of the vendor’s data and its breach prevention practices. They believe it is essential that the vendor meets the 12 requirements outlined in this article.

In a Journal of AHIMA article, MRO’s Greg Ford and Rita Bowen discuss payer access to electronic health record (EHR) systems, and how providers should recognize that they have choices about how to share this data. By carefully evaluating the benefits and risks to their organizations and patients, providers can protect themselves against inherent risks related to financial health, privacy, security, and information governance.

MRO’s Rita Bowen, MA, RHIA, CHPS, CHPC, SSGB, along with MRO’s Danielle Wesley, Esq., are mentioned in an RCM Answers article that recaps AHIMA19. Rita and Danielle led two standing-room-only sessions that dissected attorney misuse of patient-directed requests for copies of medical records.

In a For The Record magazine article, MRO’s Danielle Wesley, Esq. and Rita Bowen, MA, RHIA, CHPS, CHPC, SSGB are quoted on how to avoid a misstep when it comes to distinguishing between patient and third-party requests. They discuss the problems with current OCR guidance, as well as strategies that can be used to help combat this issue.

In a For The Record E-News Exclusive, MRO’s Angela Rose summarizes a national survey about Release of Information, conducted by Porter Research, an independent market intelligence and research group focused on HIT. The findings provide valuable perspectives for HIM departments to consider and assess as they move into the 2020 budget and planning season.

In an HealthData Management ‘HIT Think’ article, MRO’s Anthony Murray and Rita Bowen discuss the critical role business associates play in a provider’s privacy and security program. They describe how more provider organizations incorporate HITRUST and SOC 2 frameworks into their third-party assurance processes. Together, HITRUST and SOC 2 provide the basis for an effective BA management program that promotes communication, confidence and common ground.

MRO’s Chief Financial Officer, Peter Schmitt, is quoted in a For the Record article that recaps key takeaways from the annual HFMA conference. He speaks to the rising volume of postpayment audits, in addition to steps HIM professionals can take to support revenue cycle peers in curbing denials.

In an HFMA article, MRO’s Greg Ford, Senior Director of Requester Relations and Receivables Administration, discusses strategies for managing payer requests for medical record copies, including tips on how to update language in managed care contracts to mitigate financial, privacy and security risks.

In a Journal of Health Care Compliance article, privacy expert Rita Bowen outlines strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve compliant PHI disclosure management.

In an article published to the Journal of AHIMA, MRO’s Kim Charland, BA, RHIT, CCS, Director of Revenue Cycle Services, and two other HIM leaders share insight on how to improve collaboration between HIM and the business office when fulfilling documentation and claim attachment requests.