Where can employers find more HIPAA compliance assistance?

There is a Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) compliance assistance program to help employers and health plans fulfill their obligations under health laws including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Mental Health Parity Act, the Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act , and the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act. Generally, all ERISA health plans must comply with these laws, with some exceptions for small businesses.

H-CAP. The "HIPAA Compliance Assistance Program (H-CAP) "will help the benefits community address specific compliance issues. It is a three-pronged program that includes new publications targeted to assist group health plans and health insurers comply with the health laws, a new section of the EBSA Web page dedicated to health law material, and sponsorship of compliance assistance workshops around the country. The new publications include a self-audit checklist; a guide summarizing the laws notice requirements, including sample language; and updated tips for avoiding the 15 most common mistakes.

The new Web page, publications and report are available at www.dol.gov/ebsa under Compliance Assistance or by calling toll-free 1-866-444-EBSA (3272).

Reprinted with permission. © CCH

Where can employers find more HIPAA compliance assistance? There is a Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) compliance assistance program to help employers and health plans fulfill their obligations under h...