As we surf the Internet, we see many examples of healthcare websites potentially in HIPAA non-compliance and others that utilize PDF patient forms, costing the practice time and money.
One example are websites that have interactive forms into which the patient can type their information, and the completed forms can be submitted securely [downloaded] to the practice; however, in many of these situations no electronic signature is captured. So, staff have access to the patient’s personal and medical information, before the patient is actually seen for their appointment; the patient is first asked to sign and agree to the HIPAA acknowledgement when they arrive at their first visit. If any personal information from the forms is inadvertently provided to an insurance company or a family member prior to the handwritten signature, there is a potential HIPAA violation. In these instances, the patient has to sign a hard copy when they arrive; the staff has to scan their signature or have the patient utilize an electronic signature pad [ cost starts at about $300 to purchase].
We have seen other examples, where an electronic signature is captured as the patient certifies they have been given a copy of the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Act, but none is actually provided online with the rest of the forms.
PDF Forms on Website
Most commonly seen on medical and dental websites are multiple PFD forms that have to be downloaded, filled out by hand and brought by the patient to their first appointment. This is old technology, and about 25% of the patients forget the completed form at home.
You no longer need to take the time to get a handwritten signature or use an electronic signature pad. PatientStudio utilizes an electronic signature that records the date, time of day and IP address of the patient’s computer. That information is stored electronically and will also appear on a printed form.
In the Federal Electronic Signatures In Global And National Commerce Act [ESIGN Act] of June 30, 2000, Sec 106 (5) states: Electronic Signature.—The term ‘‘electronic signature’’ means an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
As an extra level of protection for the practice, that will give you peace of mind if a patient says at a later date, “You asked me for all this personal and medical information, but you never advised me of my HIPAA rights,” PatientStudio captures their electronic signature on the HIPAA form before the patient can see the form or fill them out with the appropriate information.
As we surf the Internet, we see many examples of healthcare websites potentially in HIPAA non-compliance and others that utilize PDF patient forms, costing the practice time and money.
One example are websites that have interactive forms into which the patient can type their information, and the completed forms can be submitted securely [downloaded] to the practice; however, in many of these situations no electronic signature is captured. So, staff have access to the patient’s personal and medical information, before the patient is actually seen for their appointment; the patient is first asked to sign and agree to the HIPAA acknowledgement when they arrive at their first visit. If any personal information from the forms is inadvertently provided to an insurance company or a family member prior to the handwritten signature, there is a potential HIPAA violation. In these instances, the patient has to sign a hard copy when they arrive; the staff has to scan their signature or have the patient utilize an electronic signature pad [ cost starts at about $300 to purchase].
We have seen other examples, where an electronic signature is captured as the patient certifies they have been given a copy of the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Act, but none is actually provided online with the rest of the forms.
PDF Forms on Website
Most commonly seen on medical and dental websites are multiple PFD forms that have to be downloaded, filled out by hand and brought by the patient to their first appointment. This is old technology, and about 25% of the patients forget the completed form at home.
You no longer need to take the time to get a handwritten signature or use an electronic signature pad. PatientStudio utilizes an electronic signature that records the date, time of day and IP address of the patient’s computer. That information is stored electronically and will also appear on a printed form.
In the Federal Electronic Signatures In Global And National Commerce Act [ESIGN Act] of June 30, 2000, Sec 106 (5) states: Electronic Signature.—The term ‘‘electronic signature’’ means an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.
As an extra level of protection for the practice, that will give you peace of mind if a patient says at a later date, “You asked me for all this personal and medical information, but you never advised me of my HIPAA rights,” PatientStudio captures their electronic signature on the HIPAA form before the patient can see the form or fill them out with the appropriate information.