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Ransomware is a major threat to any and all computer networks. All companies large, small, healthcare, nonhealthcare can be impacted by it. Ransomware is a cyber-attack where the user cannot obtain access to their system. They are criminal acts that much be treated as one, swift action must be taken to protect your system and your patients PHI.  Join Jeff Hedges from the Pharmacy Compliance Guide and Becky Templeton from R.J. Hedges & Associates, as they discuss Ransomware, how to determine a HIPAA breach, what to do if you are a victim of Ransomware, how to report cyber-attacks, how to report a breach due to ransomware attack, how cyber insurance may help, what kind of fines may be associated with a cyber-attack, and the real steps to prepare for an OCR inspection. Learn more about how to protect your pharmacy from Ransomware threats: https://www.rjhedges.com/blog/topic/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ransomware; being held hostage from your own information and your own data. It’s in the news every day, generally large businesses, and banks, but it happens to every type and size of business every day. With complex schemes, malicious deception, various access points, complex research, and impersonation- ransomware is a worldwide threat that often funds nefarious dealings like terrorism, oppressive government and even the development of more ransomware. Today Jeff Hedges, the Pharmacy Compliance Guide and owner of R.J. Hedges & Associates and Nick Dorazio, Present of LVTech and technology expert are going to talk about what ransomware is and how it happens, put some context around the shear cost of this type of event happening to your business, we’ll go over some terminology and solutions for your business and even how you can prevent this from happening to your system.  https://www.rjhedges.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you’ve worked your whole career building your business, inherited or purchased from family, or more recently acquired the business, at some point all owners start to think about the next chapters of their life and selling their business.  The world of pharmacy isn’t much different from other businesses in this sense, and it can be hard for an entrepreneur, visionary, and owner to start forecasting life without the business they’ve given so much of their time, energy, focus, and money. To say there is an emotional attachment may be an understatement.  While some owners can’t wait to dump their business, I’d be willing to bet the majority of pharmacy owners truly love their business, employees, and patients.  Being so engrained in the community, it’s hard for owners not to worry about their patients.  Owners worry about the level of care, or access to care, their patients may, or may not, have should they sell their location.  In some instances that worry for their staff and their community leaves owners holding onto the business much longer than maybe they initially wanted. Lear more:  https://www.rjhedges.com/blog/3-roads-to-sell-your-pharmacy  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest on the Pharmacy Compliance Guide is Greg Wozniak. Greg is the President of Healthcare Group at Excellis Health Solutions from New Hope, PA. Excellis Health Solutionsprovide end-to-end consulting and project management services for a wide range of organizations — from established Fortune 500 companies to start-ups. In each case, we help them create value at every stage of their supply chain and ensure their business is fully compliant with new and changing legislation. Becky Templeton, CDME, ABI Director of Business Development Office:  724-357-8380   Website:  www.rjhedges.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeling overwhelmed by changing rules and regulations?  Are audits, attestations and credentialing driving you crazy?  Not sure how to keep up? We realize every facility is unique and has different compliance needs.   If you are struggling in today's healthcare market, we can help with the following compliance programs: Pharmacy (Part D Compliance) Compounding (non-Sterile including USP ) HIPAA Diabetic Shoes DMEPOS (Medicare) FWA Prevention (including OIG/SAM verification) Immunizations (including Travel Vaccines and 30+ Standing Orders) USP for Retail/LTC locations DEA and Pseudoephedrine Custom Solutions- Such as Cultural Awareness to satisfy CVS/Caremark and Humana See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's Pharmacy Compliance Guide is the second part of our series on preparing for USP Hazardous Drugs (HD). In our last podcast, titled: “How will USP Impact My Retail and LTC Pharmacy?” we addressed what each pharmacy must do to prepare for implementation of these guidelines. We covered these topics: How to identify hazardous drugs through the NIOSH List Segregating hazardous drugs from regular stock Proper handling of hazardous drugs When pill scanners and robots are permitted to be used Special handing of hazardous drugs that require alterations Determining Personal Protective Equipment by using Safety Data Sheets Which agencies will enforce these guidelines? CONTACT:  https://www.rjhedges.com/contact  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How will USP 800 Impact My Retail and LTC Pharmacy? USP-800 was designed to address the proper handling of hazardous drugs (HDs) in a pharmacy setting. Its guidelines are plainly aimed at promoting patient and worker safety in and around non- sterile and sterile compounding. The first section clearly covers compounding in its purest form. However, when you move into section two, you quickly realize the dispensing of pills, capsules, liquids and manufactured packaged items are also covered by USP-800 Different types of terms are being used to describe types of hazardous drugs, such as: antineoplastic, non-antineoplastic, reproductive risk only; dosage form, risk of exposure, packaging and manipulation. This may sound like a whole lot of mumbo jumbo, but it is the new language of hazardous drugs. Email us: [email protected] Call Us: 724-357-8380  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The R.J. Hedges Team delivers another "heads up" discussion on the Suspension of Competitive Bid and what this means to your pharmacy business.  Listen to Becky & Jeff on the latest:  Pharmacy Compliance Guide, part of the Pharmacy Podcast Network.  CONTACT:   Becky Templeton, CDME, ABI Director of Business Development R.J. Hedges & Associates Office:  724-357-8380     Website:  www.rjhedges.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becky Templeton and Jeff Hedges review the sensitve employer's issue and topic about Terminating Employees.    Despite all of your efforts, you still may not see the type or quality of improvement needed, and the only option left is to sever the relationship. However, by now, you should have clearly documented what you did to help the under-performing employee improve. Performance-based terminations should never come as a surprise to your employees. Prior to terminating your employee, be sure to review all associated documentation. Also, contact your legal counsel or HR representative to ensure your case is supported, justified and sound. Confirm that you’re following all state-specific wage and hour regulations. And if you use employment contracts or non-compete/non-solicitation agreements, you should ask your legal counsel to provide you with validity and enforcement guidance. Contact the R.J. Hedges Team today:  Becky Templeton, CDME, ABI Director of Business Development R.J. Hedges & Associates Office:  724-357-8380   www.rjhedges.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becky Templeton Director of Business Development at R.J.Hedges & Associates talks with Jeff Hedges about With the increasing need for businesses to save on costs, many companies are utilizing offshore companies to help with customer service, tech support, billing processes, etc.  Is it possible one of your contracted companies whom you have a Business Associate Agreement, is utilizing an offshore workforce?  Not only should you be concerned with this because of possible breaches which the US government won’t have any legal recourse, but PBM’s and NCPDP will be asking for attestations in the future.  The time to prepare is now.  Our latest episode with the Pharmacy Compliance Guide will discuss the impacts of Offshore businesses accessing PHI, why PBM’s are concerned,  and what pharmacies should do now.   The covered entity is solely responsible for issuing the Business Associate Agreement, so if you sign someone else’s agreement, you are stuck with it.  The Business Associate Agreement is a contract.  Remember that!   Develop a document similar to the one the PBMs are asking you to sign and ask Business Associate to check a box with one of the two options and send it back to you.  Now you can truthfully answer the questions posed to you by the PBMs and NCPDP.   To ensure we are in compliance with these federal mandates, please check the appropriate box below and return this signed attestation to us.  Your failure to provide this attestation, as specified herein, constitutes a material breach of your agreement with us.  An inaccurate response may constitute a violation of federal law for which penalties may apply.   Choose the appropriate statement by checking one of the boxes below:   As your HIPAA Business Associate, our organization and our downstream and related entities DO NOT utilize Off-Shore subcontractors to perform activities that involve receiving, processing, transferring, handling, and storing or accessing PHI at an Off-Shore location(s).   As your HIPAA Business Associate, our organization and our downstream and related entities DO utilize Off-Shore subcontractors to perform activities that involve receiving, processing, transferring, handling, and storing or accessing PHI at an Off-Shore location.   CONTACT:   Becky Templeton, CDME, ABI Director of Business Development R.J. Hedges & Associates Office:  724-357-8380    Website:  www.rjhedges.com Follow us on Facebook!  Learn more on our Blog See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NEW Segment part of the 'Pharmacy Compliance Guide' is hosted by Jenny Schell, CDME Sr. Compliance Strategist with R. J. Hedges & Associates.  Podcast on Medicare Applications by the Numbers   A lot of people ask me about Medicare. There is a lot of confusion on who needs what number.   Immunizations Really easy process to get a number. The pharmacy would complete the 855 B application. Applications have a fast turnaround-usually a month YOU DO NOT NEED ACCREDIATED   Medicare Number –This division (NSC) takes about 3 months to issue a number. This application requires you to carry a surety bond and have a certificate of liability with NSC as the certificate holder as well as your AO (if you have one). New applications as well as re-validations will require owners and authorized officials to be fingerprinted.   Two ways to complete For non-accredited drugs only o   Benefits For DMEPOS accredited items o   Benefits o   Accreditation o   Exemption o   Revalidation Revalidation happens every 3 – 5 years  What that means You  “update” your Medicare application and pay Medicare $$. Every year they change the Medicare application fee. For 2018 it is $569 per application. Contact Jenny: Website:  www.rjhedges.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DEA Documentation Requirements  Special Guest: Carlos Aquino from PharmaDiversion LLC™ In early 2017, we saw DEA changing their focus on pharmacy compliance. DEA increased their enforcement from the verification of the Combat Methamphetamine Certificate to a more formal on-site inspection. Now with the emphasis on the opioid epidemic, DEA is under increase pressure to look for abusers of the system. Naturally, the first place any inspector will start is the pharmacy. We have been spending more time updating our clients on this trend and providing as much information as we can find. Then I attended a conference last September and one of the presentations was on “Maintaining Your Pharmacy in DEA Compliance”. Carlos Aquino is the President of PharmaDiversion and he is based out of Philadelphia. Carlos is a retired DEA diversion investigator and a great supporter of independent pharmacies. If you ever have an issue with the DEA, Carlos is the first person you should call.  CSOS user names and passwords Power of Attorneys for DEA forms 222 and Electronic Orders Receiving C-II orders from the wholesaler and completing the DEA documentation First, every person who uses the CSOS system must have their own user name and password. No person may share another person’s user name. Having a single user name for a pharmacy only works if the user never takes a day off, ever; and we know that won’t happen occur so you are opening yourself for criticism with the DEA as soon as they start asking questions. Setting up additional user names is not hard, you work with your wholesaler software system to establish a new user name. Each system has their own variation and perimeters, so if you have questions, go to their IT department. When the drug order is received: a. CSOS is accessed by an authorized individual with a Power of Attorney for DEA Forms 222 and Electronic Orders with an individual user name and password that is not shared with another person b. The order of Controlled Substances is checked against the packing slip/invoice c. DEA 222 is completed through CSOS d. Print the DEA 222. Most systems will state on the document, “This is not a DEA issued Form 222. This form is available for convenience.”  If this document does not print, check your Pop-up Blocker  The Pop-up Blocker may also prevent a completed DEA 222 from being printed (Carlos picks up) • This document acts as the DEA 222 for DEA on-site inspection purposes • In most cases, this document prints with the fields empty. Manually complete this document by entering the following information: o Packages Received o Date Received o DEA requires the persons initials:  Remember this person must have a Power of Attorney  Recommend a signature over an initial e. Attach the packing slip/invoice to the acting DEA 222 f. Keep on file for two (2) years: • DEA requires the pharmacy to produce the completed DEA 222 and invoice upon demand o DEA regulations require you to have this record to be “readily retrievable” and separate from other records o Reference: DEA Pharmacist’s Manual, Section VI – Record Keeping o You cannot print and complete the document when a DEA inspector is on-site. Carlos, I have been working with other organizations on the opioid crisis, this process is straight forward, but as Jeff stated at the beginning, DEA is enforcing the documentation requirements. Can you give us specific examples of pharmacy who have recently received DEA fines or you are aware of the DEA fines. Example 1: CSOS user names and passwords Example 2: Power of Attorneys for DEA forms 222 and Electronic Orders Example 3: Receiving C-II orders from the wholesaler and completing the DEA documentation If time permits, one more example Jeffrey Hedges, CDME President & CEO P.O. Box H, New Florence, PA 15944 Direct:  724-357-8380    Fax:  814-446-6336    Website:  www.rjhedges.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati