Simplified Training Solutions releases Red Flags Tool Kit

Raleigh, NC  February 6, 2008 ­–Simplified Training Solutions (STS) (www.simplifiedtraining.com) has released the ID Theft/ Red Flags Tool Kit™ that gives healthcare providers the guidance to comply with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Red Flags rules.

By May 1, 2009 medical and dental practices must take definitive action to reduce the risk and effects of medical and financial identity theft as part of managing payment for patient care. This includes third party payments, such as insurance companies, or allowing patients to pay for services in installments.

Due to the economy and the increasing number of Americans without healthcare insurance, medical identity theft is increasing. Although difficult to get an accurate count, a 2005 FTC estimate concluded that there are between 250,000 and 500,000 patients have had their medical identities compromised. There is an impact both on the insurance companies who are paying for services to uninsured patients and an impact on the victims, whose medical records are now inaccurate. A later visit to the healthcare provider may uncover the theft, but there is the chance that the victim may receive unnecessary treatment because of thief’s earlier treatment. The time and expense for a victim to rectify this theft is substantial.

Simplified Training Solutions entered the healthcare provider training marketplace in 2003 with a series of HIPAA Privacy and Security Tool Kits for medical practices, dentists, employers, and healthcare insurance agents. All these groups have access to Protected Health Information (PHI) both electronic and paper copies and must protect their patients privacy.

“The Federal Trade Commission is much more aggressive in enforcing its regulations than Health and Human Services, the HIPAA regulators,” commented Rob Karn, VP of Marketing for Simplified Training Solutions. “The fines for Red Flags violations can be significant and we expect the Rules will be enforced quickly,” he concluded.

The Tool Kit includes:
• A manual on Red Flags and identity theft
• A program support tool for a practice to create its own response guidelines
• Staff training
• A copy of the FTC Rules
• A set of patient communication tools so that patients know the practice is protecting his/her financial and medical identity

About Simplified Training Solutions
Simplified Training Solutions prepares HR professionals, privacy and security officers, healthcare professionals, and healthcare administrators to meet federally mandated compliance regulations. With more than 100 years of combined regulatory, educational, professional management and healthcare experience, the staff prepares and delivers educational products and communications training in a variety of media that best meets the needs of individual learners. When creating training products, they collaborate with prominent health law and business attorneys and e-health consultants so you can feel sure the materials they offer will be accurate.

Simplified Training Solutions has delivered training and communications materials for employer associations, third party administrators, CPAs and financial advisors, state societies, national physicians associations, specialty groups, long term care facilities, and health information management organizations. Your success is their primary goal. To get more information about Simplified Training Solutions, please visit www.simplifiedtraining.com. Simplified Training Solutions, is a subsidiary of Raleigh-based marketing and communications firm Connections Too (www.connectionstoo.com)

Simplified Training Solutions
Rob Karn
VP Marketing
1605 Park Drive
Raleigh, NC 27605
Office: 919-821-9192
Email: rob@simplifiedtraining.com

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