Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health
What is HITECH?
Effective September 23, 2009, Health and Human Services (HSS) implemented the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act requiring covered entities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and their Business Associates to provide notification in the case of breaches of “unsecured Protected Health Information”(PHI). Guidelines specifying the methods that render PHI unusable, unreadable or indecipherable for relief from the breach notification requirement are also in the Act.
What does HITECH require?
A covered entity must notify each individual whose unsecured PHI has been believed to have been accessed, acquired, used or disclosed as a result of a breach. Should a reach involve more than 500 residents of a state, the covered entity must notify HSS and the media.
Business Associates (third-party administrators or service providers) requiring access to insecure PHI are also required to notify covered entities of breaches that occur while in their possession. Additionally, the Act stipulates that encryption of electronic PHI and physical destruction of paper PHI are the only two methodologies allowed for covered entities to be relieved of the breach notification requirement.
Why does HITECH matter?
Fines for non-compliance are expected to significantly increase over time. State Attorney Generals, the Federal Trade Commission and Health and Human Services all have mandates to prosecute with increased scrutiny. Putting PHI in the hands of shredding providers does not absolve covered entities from paying for costly and time-consuming breach notifications. Covered entities are not absolved until PHI is physically destroyed.
For more information about HITECH, please visit: Health Information Privacy
A partner in compliance.
With ISO 9001 Certified by NSF-ISR processes and over 30 years of experience, covered entities trust Proshred® to be an unparalleled extension of their organization to meet the HITECH Act requirements. We end breach notification fears immediately by destroying all PHI on-site at the client location.
Proshred® ensures the highest level of security and delivers professional, knowledgeable service at a cost-effective and environmentally conscious value.
What Are People Saying About Proshred®
Today, Tuesday, 1/10/23, at 2:00 PM, I went to Pro Shred located in Elmsford to drop off two bags of papers. I was not aware that they did not accept cash or Apple Pay.
I am a first time customer, so I did not know the payment method. Met with Lamont, who explained they did not accept cash, however, he did look into the Apple Pay. This is when I met with Steven, who, like Lamont, spoke in a friendly and professional manner. Steven explained an alternative way, which I’d gladly accepted. Overall, the friendly and professional service I received from Steven in Lamont was exceptional. Thank you very much!
I was very pleased to know that they were NOT Dallas Cowboy fans!
Go Giants!
Jay Romano
When contract a job I am very specific about wanting to be charged what I am quoted. Usually I can't even get past the quoting when other companies start saying they will do it by box and then start talking about bin size on the phone. Pro Shed and Tara who quoted the job, did not play any games with me. They quoted a box price and then honored the box price. Not only was Tara grear, but when the guys showed up to do the shredding, they were professional, friendly, confident, and hard-working. Everything went as planned straight through the payment. I would refer anyone to this company at any time, because I feel comfortable that they did a good job for me and would do a good job forgrade,
I needed a little more shredding done, a very small job, just a little residual from the big job at a later date, and they are handling that great as well. I spoke to the manager today about them coming out on Monday for the residual and told him how pleased I was with the service. Unfortunately I can't remember his name but he was so professional as well and I'm so glad that I deal with this company. Don't use anyone else use a class act. ProShred gets 5 starts in all categories.
I have limited need for shredding services--every year or two, I need to shred some old credit card slips and bank statements and such. It is always very easy to load 8-10 boxes of stuff in the back of my station wagon, drive it over to ProShred and then unload it into a bin, pay the fee and I'm on my way. Easy peasy. The staff is aways friendly and cheerful; they will do my shredding for the foreseeable future.