Understanding the Digital Database Idea.

Last week, we presented a few ideas about the controversy surrounding a proposed digital database for insurance consumer information. The obvious faults that experts pointed out about the plan centered on the possibility that data-miners or corporate interests could easily access consumer information. Now we are going to take a look at the legislation that inspired the concept.

Back in July of this year, the Obama administration began announcing the features of the healthcare reform plan. Part of this plan was for every citizen to have an electronic medical record by 2014. This was motivated by the desire to make the process of healthcare easier, faster, and cheaper. A nationally-accessible database would prevent much of the pointless paperwork that takes up time and money in today’s system. It is around this point that things begin to get interesting.

The primary arguments today against this system are the potential for corporate interests to access private information. In actuality, privacy was one of the founding principles of the electronic database idea. In July, when the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act cam out, it required HHS to re-write HIPAA to strengthen privacy, security, and enforcement. The language used in HITECH is very similar to the language used to promote the electronic database:

• Expanding individuals' rights to access their information and to restrict certain kinds of disclosures of protected health information to health plans
• Requiring business associates of HIPAA-covered entities to follow most of the same rules as the covered entities
• Setting new limitations on the use and disclosure of protected health information for marketing and fund raising; and
• Prohibiting the sale of protected health information without patient authorization (From FierceHealthcare).

So now we have a system devised to protect privacy and security in response to a rule-change based in those same values. As long as the digital database functions as intended, it seems like a win-win scenario. Obviously, there is always the chance that an immoral healthcare worker could sell personal information to data-miners, but isn’t that just as possible today?

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Pam Argeris is a thought leader in the Healthcare Industry and possesses extensive, hands-on experience with CMS compliance, and multiple regulatory bodies such as NCQA, JACHO, and DOI. In her role at Merrill Corp., Pam focuses on developing solutions for compliance and quality assurance, delivered in a cost effective manner to improve beneficiary and prospect communications. You can contact Pam at Pamela.Argeris@merrillcorp.com.

Insurance Provider Shows the Way: Simple TIPS for Getting Started on Twitter

An industry leading insurance provider recently launched out into the Twitter world with their (here’s an article with more information: from the Cleveland Plain Dealer).

It’s inspiring to see Healthcare providers taking this step to better address customers needs, first by listening to what they are saying and then by responding and providing a gateway to answers, wherever those customers are seeking help.

Everyday people ask for advice on how to use Twitter - and sometimes even why they should bother.

The Why is easy:

• Twitter is a viable business information, interaction and customer service micro-blogging tool.
• You can gain access to a tremendous amount of information on Twitter.
• More and more companies will offer the Twitter option for Customer Service.

If that's not enough, some experts say there probably will come a time when a Twitter address is as common as email.

As with anything, getting started is hard.

Here are some tips that may help:

• Listen to the conversations that are taking place. Use keyword search (#yourname here) to identify what’s being said.
• Don't expect too much too soon. It takes time. And you will often hear from those with problems moreso than those that like what you do.
• Use the search tool to find topics of interest to you and people that follow you.
• Say something of interest ... join the conversation.
• Tell people you are on Twitter ... add it to your signature line on email.
• Stick with it. 

Twitter is a simple tool that enables better communication on all sorts of topics. It’s also your chance to better serve customers.

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Pam Argeris is a thought leader in the Healthcare Industry and possesses extensive, hands-on experience with CMS compliance, and multiple regulatory bodies such as NCQA, JACHO, and DOI. In her role at Merrill Corp., Pam focuses on developing solutions for compliance and quality assurance, delivered in a cost effective manner to improve beneficiary and prospect communications. You can contact Pam at Pamela.Argeris@merrillcorp.com.