This year, to deliver the 2012 Annual Report to you faster, TMLT will be providing a copy to you electronically.
In May, you will receive an e-mail that will provide a link to the Report. If you prefer a print copy, you will be able to request one by filling out this form.
To reward our loyal policyholders, TMLT has dedicated $130 million to Trust Rewards. Each year you renew your policy, we set aside funds in your Trust Rewards account.
Put our risk management, experience, and part-time discounts to work for you. You could save up to 20% based on your participation and number of years with TMLT.
To receive updates on risk management issues, risk alerts, and other important updates for physicians, like TMLT on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and bookmark our blog, TrendsMD.
TMLT now offers one-stop access to all our CME courses. Visit our new CME site to earn CME from the Reporter and Case Closed. You can also take a video or podcast CME course.
In order to deliver courses through the new CME site, we will now be charging a slight fee to cover the cost of the new online catalog. Policyholder and non-policyholder pricing will be in effect in the new course catalog. Log on with your myTMLT username and password (or check your email for an invitation to create an account) to receive policyholder pricing.
In January, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a final omnibus rule to strengthen the patient privacy protections established by HIPAA. The rules expand the individual rights of patients and tighten federal breach notification requirements.
With the new rule, physicians will potentially face more scrutiny by the federal government as well as new administrative burdens.
The rule is effective March 25, 2013, but covered entities have an additional six months to achieve compliance — September 23, 2013.
Highlights of the changes include:
Changes to the breach notification — with the removal of the "no harm" provision, almost every breach will now be reportable.
Changes for Business Associates and their subcontractors — they are now accountable for meeting privacy and security rules.
Business Associate Agreements — covered entities should review and revise their BAA to incorporate new requirements.
Changes to use and disclosure PHI
Expanded patient rights
Restrictions for disclosure for services paid out of pocket
Notice of Privacy Practices will need to be revised
Sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), have become a significant health issue in the United States. When left untreated, OSA can lead to high blood pressure, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems. OSA is associated with type 2 diabetes and depression, and it is a factor in many traffic accidents. OSA has also been associated with increased perioperative risk and postoperative complications. 1
This article will provide a brief overview of sleep apnea, describe two closed claim studies that feature sleep apnea, and discuss ways to reduce liability when treating patients with sleep apnea.
