Sioux Falls, S.D., April 7, 2009 – On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (or ARRA), known by most Americans as the “federal stimulus package.” One part of the ARRA, or stimulus package, involves the incorporation of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which is intended to promote widespread adoption of health information technology. 

The HITECH Act significantly expands the privacy and security regulations covered under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). While there are many updates to HIPAA regulations within the HITECH Act, a few, in particular, will necessitate changes to our software to help our customers accommodate the new requirements. 

According to specific provisions within the legislation, physicians using electronic health records (EHRs) and/or electronic medical records (EMRs) will be required to maintain records of all disclosures of protected health information (PHI) for a period of at least three years prior to the date of a request. The effective date for current EMR users is January 1, 2014. However, because disclosure records must be available for at least three years prior to any request, EHRs/EMRs must be able to track this information beginning on January 1, 2011.

DocuTAP is aware of this and other requirements that have been outlined in the HITECH Act and is planning accordingly to ensure our software helps our customers meet the new regulations.

For more information about the stimulus package and its provisions regarding HIPAA, please visit the following links: 
• American Academy of Family Physicians website 
• Review on the Wisconsin Technology Network website

If you have specific questions or concerns regarding how the ARRA and the HITECH Act might affect your practice or clinic, please contact Medical Director Michael Pekas, MD, at DocuTAP by calling (877) 697-4696.