Policy
It is the policy of Home and Community Options, Inc. that all staff and associates are trained regarding the HIPAA privacy regulations and our organization’s privacy practices and that any revisions in the policies will be communicated via refresher training.
Procedure
The Executive Director of HCO or a staff member designated by the Executive Director of HCO will develop a privacy policy orientation and training program.
The purpose of this program is to make sure that all staff members are familiar with the privacy policies and procedures adopted by Home and Community Options, Inc.
The training and orientation program will cover:
- The definition and identification of protected health information
- How to provide the notice of privacy practices to all patients and obtain a written acknowledgment of receipt
- Use and disclosure of protected health information for treatment, payment, and health care operations
- How to obtain authorization, when required, for use and disclosure of protected information
- Procedures for handling suspected violations of privacy policies and procedures
- Penalties for violations of privacy policies and procedures
- Documentation required by the policies and procedures manual
Staff members will:
- Receive a summary of HCO’s privacy policies and procedures
- Have an opportunity to review the policies and procedures manual
- Have an opportunity to ask questions about the privacy policies and procedures of Home and Community Options, Inc.
All staff members must complete the privacy policy orientation and training program during their probationary period.
- Completion of the privacy policy orientation and training program will be documented in the employee’s personnel file by the Executive Director of HCO or the staff member who conducts the training.
- Until staff members complete the privacy policy orientation and training program, their supervisors will closely monitor their use and disclosure of protected health information.
- Before the end of a staff member’s orientation period, his or her supervisor should confirm that they have completed privacy training.
If privacy policies are revised, or if there is a change in regulations requiring additional training, the Executive Director of HCO or a staff member designated by the Executive Director of HCO will develop training materials on new or revised privacy policies and procedures.
- Staff whose job responsibilities are affected by a change in privacy policies and procedures must complete training on the revised policies and procedures within one month of their effective date.
- Completion of training on revised policies and procedures will be documented in the employee’s personnel file.
