Question
Last year I took a course in the Red Flags Rule and was told that audiologists needed to comply but that the Federal Trade Commission was delaying enforcement until December 31, 2010. What is the current status?
Answer
In December 2010, President Obama signed into law the "Red Flag Program Clarification Act of 2010 (Bill, S. 3987)," which further clarifies the type of "creditor" that must comply with the Red Flags Rule. According to this Act, now Public Law No 111-319, a creditor includes only entities that use consumer reports, furnish information to consumer reporting agencies or extend credit. A creditor is not someone who advances funds on behalf of a person for expenses incidental to a service provided. The bottom line? Audiologists no longer meet the definition of a creditor under the Red Flags Rule and thus are not legally required to comply with it. I confirmed this with an audiology billing/coding expert before writing this reply (thanks, Dr. Cavitt!). Taking steps to reduce the potential for identity theft/medical identity theft in one's audiology practice may be good business, but it is not required by law.
Carolyn Smaka is Editor-in-Chief of AudiologyOnline. Prior to joining AudiologyOnline in 2008, she worked as a clinical audiologist, audiology administrator, and in a variety of roles for a leading hearing instrument manufacturer.
Carolyn Smaka
Related Courses
1https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/understanding-privilege-for-healthcare-professionals-36096Understanding Privilege, for Healthcare ProfessionalsSystems of privilege have created a wide division of inequality. This course will help hearing care professionals identify their privilege and determine how to make a difference in their places of employment.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comUnderstanding Privilege, for Healthcare ProfessionalsSystems of privilege have created a wide division of inequality. This course will help hearing care professionals identify their privilege and determine how to make a difference in their places of employment.36096OnlinePT60M
Systems of privilege have created a wide division of inequality. This course will help hearing care professionals identify their privilege and determine how to make a difference in their places of employment.
2https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/creating-leadership-in-audiology-through-37632Creating Leadership in Audiology Through a Mentoring CircleThere are so many components to quality patient care that it is challenging to “master” them all. What if you could come together with other professionals who possess knowledge or experience that could help you or your practice? There are a number of veteran audiologists as well as rising professionals who have wisdom, qualifications, narratives, and unique journeys to share. The purpose of this talk is to rethink the traditional mentor/mentee vertical relationship and explore collaboration in the form of circle…where all professionals, regardless of age or experience, learn from each other.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comCreating Leadership in Audiology Through a Mentoring CircleThere are so many components to quality patient care that it is challenging to “master” them all. What if you could come together with other professionals who possess knowledge or experience that could help you or your practice? There are a number of veteran audiologists as well as rising professionals who have wisdom, qualifications, narratives, and unique journeys to share. The purpose of this talk is to rethink the traditional mentor/mentee vertical relationship and explore collaboration in the form of circle…where all professionals, regardless of age or experience, learn from each other.37632OnlinePT60M
There are so many components to quality patient care that it is challenging to “master” them all. What if you could come together with other professionals who possess knowledge or experience that could help you or your practice? There are a number of veteran audiologists as well as rising professionals who have wisdom, qualifications, narratives, and unique journeys to share. The purpose of this talk is to rethink the traditional mentor/mentee vertical relationship and explore collaboration in the form of circle…where all professionals, regardless of age or experience, learn from each other.
3https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/core-topics-for-audiology-assistants-37123Core Topics for Audiology AssistantsThis course includes one hour of content on each of the following topics: 1) ethical concepts and decision-making; 2) universal safety precautions, including the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) bloodborne pathogens standard, and 3) patient confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA).auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comCore Topics for Audiology AssistantsThis course includes one hour of content on each of the following topics: 1) ethical concepts and decision-making; 2) universal safety precautions, including the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) bloodborne pathogens standard, and 3) patient confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA).37123OnlinePT180M
This course includes one hour of content on each of the following topics: 1) ethical concepts and decision-making; 2) universal safety precautions, including the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) bloodborne pathogens standard, and 3) patient confidentiality and the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA).
4https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/engaging-deaf-professionals-in-ehdi-37893Engaging Deaf Professionals in the EHDI SystemThe course explores ways to draw on Deaf professionals' expertise in working with families of Deaf and hard of hearing infants and young children. A highlight of Deaf people's knowledge, experiences, expertise, and contributions in the EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) System will be discussed.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comEngaging Deaf Professionals in the EHDI SystemThe course explores ways to draw on Deaf professionals' expertise in working with families of Deaf and hard of hearing infants and young children. A highlight of Deaf people's knowledge, experiences, expertise, and contributions in the EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) System will be discussed.37893OnlinePT60M
The course explores ways to draw on Deaf professionals' expertise in working with families of Deaf and hard of hearing infants and young children. A highlight of Deaf people's knowledge, experiences, expertise, and contributions in the EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) System will be discussed.
5https://www.audiologyonline.com/audiology-ceus/course/innovative-audiologic-care-delivery-38661Innovative Audiologic Care DeliveryThis four-course series highlights the next generation of audiology innovators and their pioneering approaches to meeting unmet audiologic needs in their communities and beyond. This peer-to-peer educational series highlights researchers, clinicians, and business owners and their pioneering ideas, care delivery models, and technologies which provide desperately needed niche services and audiologic care.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyAudiologyOnlinewww.audiologyonline.comInnovative Audiologic Care DeliveryThis four-course series highlights the next generation of audiology innovators and their pioneering approaches to meeting unmet audiologic needs in their communities and beyond. This peer-to-peer educational series highlights researchers, clinicians, and business owners and their pioneering ideas, care delivery models, and technologies which provide desperately needed niche services and audiologic care.38661OnlinePT240M
This four-course series highlights the next generation of audiology innovators and their pioneering approaches to meeting unmet audiologic needs in their communities and beyond. This peer-to-peer educational series highlights researchers, clinicians, and business owners and their pioneering ideas, care delivery models, and technologies which provide desperately needed niche services and audiologic care.
