{"id":14055,"date":"2021-04-28T18:27:34","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T18:27:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bryanu.edu\/?p=14055"},"modified":"2022-02-21T19:18:25","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T19:18:25","slug":"how-privacy-laws-and-hipaa-impact-medical-billing-and-coding-specialists-working-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bryanu.edu\/blog\/how-privacy-laws-and-hipaa-impact-medical-billing-and-coding-specialists-working-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"How Privacy Laws and HIPAA Impact Medical Billing and Coding Specialists Working From Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bryanu.edu\/programs\/allied-health-2\/medical-billing-and-coding-2\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical Billing and Coding Specialist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is more than just reading charts and handling insurance claims. Patient privacy is a core concern for every medical office employee. With more people working from home during the pandemic, how can medical billing and coding specialists protect patient privacy? In today\u2019s blog, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bryanu.edu\/programs\/allied-health-2\/medical-billing-and-coding-2\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bryan University<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> explains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Related Post: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bryanu.edu\/blog\/technical-skills-needed-for-medical-billing-coding-careers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technical Skills Needed for Medical Billing &amp; Coding Careers<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can I create a home office for medical billing and coding?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because you are handling files that hold sensitive information in regard to patient health, it\u2019s important your home office or work space is as private as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some tips:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have your files and work area as separated from the rest of the house as much as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep computer screens out of view from others.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep any hard copy files covered, making sure anyone in the home cannot read names or personal information.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When away from the computer, put your screen to sleep.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When talking on the phone, keep the door closed so the conversation cannot be overheard.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you keep files in a briefcase or tote, keep it out of sight and stored away from general traffic.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure your internet connection is secure and not visible to others. If you\u2019re not sure if it is, contact your provider.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not forward files to your personal email address.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure your computer screen and phone screen are password-protected.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does HIPAA affect medical billing and coding?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) was designed to reduce the visibility of private patient information to anyone other than the medical office staff in charge of their case and people designated as close family authorized by the patient to view or hear someone\u2019s medical information.. This was achieved by implementing a system where codes replaced words.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Title II of HIPAA requires all providers and billers covered by HIPAA to submit claims electronically using the approved ASC X12 005010 format. This is also known as the HIPAA 5010. HIPAA only specifies the way the file has to be transmitted, not the actual layout of the form.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When submitting claims electronically, make sure the computer screen is turned away from others in the home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When billing, medical billing and coding specialists use claims to request reimbursement on behalf of the providers. These claims include the name of the provider as well as information about the patient such as name, date of birth and Social Security number. The patient\u2019s health insurance information as well as codes for the procedure and diagnosis will be part of this request. All of this is highly sensitive information and if breached, could open up you and your company for lawsuit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as you would when submitting a claim, make sure any paperwork is covered and your computer screen is turned away from anyone else in the home. Keep your screen on sleep when away from the computer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What privacy laws do I need to know about for medical billing and coding?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a covered health care provider, the Privacy Rule permits you to give your patients a choice in how they want their health information shared with others for certain purposes. These can include treatment, payment and health care operations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your office may decide to offer your patients a choice in how they want their information to be exchanged &#8211; electronically to them directly or through a Health Information Exchange Organization.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A secure internet connection is necessary at this stage, and any stage where private details regarding someone&#8217;s health are being shared.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bryanu.edu\/programs\/allied-health-2\/medical-billing-and-coding-2\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical billing and coding specialist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, your job is extremely important. It\u2019s your responsibility to make sure medical charts and records are coded properly. Your employer and the patients are counting on you to make sure insurance billing and reimbursement are handled correctly. And through all of this, it\u2019s vital that you secure patient privacy at every point of the process. You play a key role in the operational success of the medical office and the patient\u2019s health care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Related Post: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bryanu.edu\/blog\/tools-every-medical-billing-coding-specialist-must-have\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tools Every Medical Billing &amp; Coding Specialist Must Have\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where can I earn a degree in medical billing and coding?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bryan University\u2019s medical billing and coding program prepares you for a vibrant career, giving you the practical knowledge you need for success. We\u2019ll prepare you for the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam from the American Academy of Professional Coders. Call Bryan University toll-free at <a href=\"tel:1-855-862-0755\">1-855-862-0755<\/a> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bryanu.edu\/enroll-now\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">enroll now<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to find out more information!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Being a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist is more than just reading charts and handling insurance claims. Patient privacy is a core concern for every medical office employee. With more people working from home during the pandemic, how can medical &#8230; <\/p>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/bryanu.edu\/blog\/how-privacy-laws-and-hipaa-impact-medical-billing-and-coding-specialists-working-from-home\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":13381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[17],"tags":[103,145,82,146],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Privacy Laws for Medical Billing &amp; Coding Specialists<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bryan University discusses how privacy laws and HIPAA impact medical billing and coding specialists working from home in today\u2019s blog.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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