Thought Leader Mel Soliz Tapped by AzHIMA and The Health Management Academy to Share Latest Insights on Changes in Health Information Interoperability and Privacy

Accessing health information is becoming increasingly more common through electronic means and devices like patient portals and third-party applications, but it brings with it concerns regarding privacy, security, and the potential misuse of sensitive medical data. Mel Soliz — Partner and leader of the firm’s interoperability practice — delivered a series of presentations in June at the Arizona Health Information Management Association (AzHIMA) Annual Conference in Phoenix and The Health Management Academy Conference in Chicago. The topics focused on federal efforts to increase interoperability and how those efforts affect information sharing, including developments in electronic health information data policies, information blocking, the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), and the use and disclosure of minor health information in compliance with state and federal data laws...

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Attorneys Kristen Rosati and Nate Kunz

Kristen Rosati & Nate Kunz Discuss Updated Guidelines on Health Care Organizations’ Use of Online Tracking Tools

Regulators have released new guidelines regarding healthcare organizations’ use of online tracking technologies in marketing practices. In their presentation to the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, Kristen Rosati and Nate Kunz explained that these tools have been under increased scrutiny ever since STAT Health News released their investigation into online tracking. They also covered compliance requirements for HIPAA, Federal Trade Commission regulations, and state data privacy laws.  In anticipation of litigation related to the use of online tracking tools, they also covered how to conduct internal investigations in a manner to preserve attorney-client privilege. Kristen, a past President and Fellow of the American Health Law Association, is a nationally sought-after expert and speaker on “big data” and HIPAA compliance.  She has been leading a number of...

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Kristen Rosati

Kristen Rosati Explains the Legal Issues for Health Care Organizations Using Web-tracking Tools

Regulators have initiated investigations and class-action lawsuits have been filed against some health care organizations regarding their use of web-tracking technologies in marketing practices. Kristen Rosati, in her presentation to the Nashville Healthcare Privacy Network, explained the data privacy issues posed by web-tracking tools and the possible legal repercussions of using them. Following the STAT Health News investigation into healthcare organizations’ web-tracking technology, Kristen explained that these tools have been under increased scrutiny. During the presentation, she highlighted the implications for compliance with HIPAA, Federal Trade Commission regulations, and state data privacy laws. Kristen, a past President and Fellow of the American Health Law Association, is a nationally sought-after expert and speaker on big data and HIPAA compliance. She brings extensive knowledge related to data privacy and...

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Headshot of Mel Soliz

Partner Mel Soliz Discusses Innovation in Health Equity and Barriers to its Growth at HIMSS’ Interoperability and HIE Forum

Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. In her presentation to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Interoperability and Health Information Exchange Forum, Mel Soliz—Partner and leader of the firm’s interoperability practice—explained how health data interoperability and state and federal interoperability initiatives will advance health equity. Mel regularly speaks in local and national forums on interoperability and health equity. She is the President of the Arizona Society of Healthcare Attorneys and is recognized by Best Lawyers© and Southwest Super Lawyers: Rising Stars© for her work in health law....

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Headshot of Mel Soliz

Mel Soliz Presents a Health Care Training Webinar on the Information Blocking Rule (IBR) for Health Care Providers

Health care providers are prohibited from engaging in information blocking under the new federal Information Blocking Rule (IBR). Coppersmith Brockelman’s Partner Mel Soliz explains IBR requirements for health care providers in her educational webinar for Health Care Training. Mel covered the IBR’s background, enforcement structure and important deadlines; highlighted practices that implicate the prohibition on information blocking; IBR exceptions with a special focus on preventing harm, privacy, security, and content and manner; and best practices for IBR compliance. Mel regularly speaks in local and national forums on these topics and has been active in state and federal policy making on these issues. She is the President of the Arizona Society of Healthcare Attorneys and is recognized by Best Lawyers© and Southwest Super Lawyers: Rising Stars© for her...

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Attorney Jill Chasson

Jill Chasson Explains That Piece-rate Workers Are Eligible for Overtime Pay

Piece-rate pay compensates workers a fixed amount for each item of work completed per day or week. Although there are advantages to piece-rate compensation, such as incentivizing workers to be more efficient and productive, employers that use this method must still comply with the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In her most recent HR Laws article, Jill Chasson recommends keeping an accurate record of daily and weekly hours worked so piece-rate pay can be supplemented if a worker exceeds 40 hours of work in a week. Jill highlighted an example of how costly failure to pay overtime can be. An Arizona construction company that did not pay overtime to its piece-rate workers or keep accurate time records was investigated...

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