News
Continuing the HIPAA Conversation with OCR: What would you like to ask an OCR investigator?
Mar 19 2018
ATLANTA—Womble Bond Dickinson presented an interactive dialogue with Alison Fuller, Investigator for the US Department of Health & Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights, Southeast Region.
Attorneys Jill Girardeau and Laramie Paras facilitated the March 16 discussion, which took place in the firm’s Atlanta office and was streamed to the firm’s other offices.
Fuller discussed and answered questions on HIPAA complaints and breach investigations, including ransomware attacks and complex breaches by business associates. As of December 2017:
- OCR has received over 170,000 HIPAA complaints;
- OCR has approximately 4,000 open cases; and
- HIPAA settlements and civil monetary penalties have totaled over $75 million.
The program was well received by attendees, who said:
- “Today’s HIPAA Conversation was wonderful, in fact, the best HIPAA seminar I’ve been to in years. I really got a lot out of it, and look forward to attending other events where you will be speaking.”
- “Thank you so much for inviting me to today's HIPAA conference. I found almost all the questions and subject matter applicable to the work I do every day. It was very helpful. Please keep me in mind for future meetings.”
- “Thanks again for inviting me to this seminar –this information is very helpful! I also want to be sure you include me in Womble’s EU GDPR seminars and newsletters, as the GDPR is proving to be a BIG project for a university with a healthcare system.”
Jill Girardeau’s practice focuses on representing healthcare providers in a wide range of regulatory issues, including HIPAA privacy and security compliance, “meaningful use” of electronic health records, and compliance with the federal Stark and anti-kickback laws.
Laramie Paras advises hospitals, healthcare systems, and other providers on issues involving HIPAA Privacy and Security as well as the federal fraud and abuse laws. Prior to joining Womble Bond Dickinson, she was a physical therapist for over 10 years.
