Five computers containing medical and personal information of more than 3,000 patients were stolen from a Stone Oak physician’s office in October.

Dr. Sudhir Gogu of the Stone Oak Urgent Care Family Practice said the computers were stolen after an office door had been pried open sometime during the weekend of Oct. 22-23, according to the police report.

A San Antonio Police Department spokesman said in an email Wednesday that the computers have not been recovered and there have been no arrests.

On Dec. 5, six weeks after the break-in, Gogu sent letters to patients informing them that their names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, account numbers, disability codes and diagnoses were kept on the stolen computers.

Gogu’s office directed calls from a reporter to attorney Celeste Lira, who couldn’t be reached for comment. Lira said in an interview with StoneOakInfo.com on Dec. 15 that, as of that date, patients’ information had not been misused.

Stone Oak Urgent Care notified the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as required. The agency’s website shows that 3,079 patients were affected by the data breach.

Lira told StoneOakInfo.com that Stone Oak Urgent Care has complied with all federal regulations. Federal law requires that entities “notify prominent media outlets” within 60 days in cases where the data breach affects more than 500 people. However, it’s unclear if the practice did so.

In his letter, Gogu told his patients they might want to place a fraud alert on their credit report. A lender should then verify any requests to open a new credit account.

Gogu also recommended patients monitor their credit reports.

Patient privacy experts said that entities affected by data breaches should offer patients credit monitoring services and medical identity monitoring services. It couldn’t be determined whether Stone Oak Urgent Care made such offers.

Medical identity theft involves someone obtaining health care under another person’s name.

“The danger of medical identity theft is that the thief can use your identity to get medical care and a record is created with the imposter’s medical information that could be mistaken for yours,” said Lisa Schifferle, a spokeswoman for the Federal Trade Commission. “The consequences can be quite severe.”

Dr. Deborah Peel, founder and chairman of Patient Privacy Rights, an organization focused on putting people in control of their electronic health information, called medical identity theft a dangerous crime.

“It typically costs the average victim at least $20,000, and health plans typically increase your premiums … or may even cancel your coverage,” Peel said.

Peel criticized the health industry for failing to taken data protection seriously.

“It’s estimated that 80 percent of hospitals don’t encrypt data,” she said. “Can you imagine if your banks didn’t encrypt and keep your financial information secure? We wouldn’t even let them be banks.”

A report released this month, the 2011 Benchmark Study on Patient Privacy and Data Security, estimated that data breaches could be costing the U.S. health care industry about $6.5 billion.

Data breaches increased 32 percent over a year ago, according to the study by the Ponemon Institute in Michigan. Nearly half of respondents cited lost or stolen computing devices as the reason for the data breach incidents.

“Healthcare data breaches are epidemic,” Ponemon Institute Chairman and Founder Dr. Larry Ponemon said in a statement. “These problems are a direct result of our national economy. Healthcare organizations — especially not-for-profit hospitals and small clinics — have thin margins, are trimming staff and resources, and are lacking sufficient security and privacy budgets needed to adequately protect patients.”

Article source: http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Physician-s-computers-were-stolen-2429542.php

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Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/collaboratemd-extends-medical-office-efficiency-automation-200221071.html

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Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/collaboratemd-extends-medical-office-efficiency-automation-200221071.html

Cloud Solution Reduce Servers, Paper, Electricity Consumption and CO2 Production

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) December 15, 2011

CollaborateMD, a leading provider of cloud medical billing software for physician offices and medical billing services, today announced details on how their solution is helping save the environment by reducing energy consumption and paper usage, which is resulting in significant savings for their customers, while doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint.

CollaborateMD runs and operates a cloud medical office solution that requires only a computer with Internet access. CollaborateMD customers no longer need a PC dedicated to running the practice management application and database. Today any PC in the office can be setup to share files and printers and completely removes the need for a dedicated server. By removing a 500 watt dedicated server, running 24/7, an office could reduce their energy consumption by an estimated 4,000 kilowatts annually. The energy reduction would result in an estimated $400 annual savings in utility costs and a reduced carbon dioxide output by 5,000 pounds.

In addition to less hardware, the CollaborateMD medical office software helps reduce the amount of energy and paper consumed by increasing the amount of claims sent electronically versus claims being printed and mailed. In the past several years, CollaborateMD has helped reduce their customer’s percentage of paper claims to 7% from 12%. The 5% savings equates to an estimated reduction of 24,000 pieces of paper a month, plus envelopes, electricity powering printers and sorters, USPS machines and vehicles, and airline fuel.

“Over 6,000 people are sharing access to our six servers. We are proud that our service helps customers be more cost efficient and productive, while helping reduce energy consumption,” said Douglas Kegler, CEO and Founder, CollaborateMD. “I sleep better at night knowing that CollaborateMD helps our customers achieve their business objectives, of reducing cost and waste, while helping our environment become healthier.”

About CollaborateMD

Since 1999, CollaborateMD’s cloud healthcare solution is game changing factor on how medical businesses manage their medical practice and medical billing. CollaborateMD’s 100% Java solution, with its simplicity, ANSI 5010 compliant, affordable monthly fees, and 99% clean claim rate allow thousands of medical providers to see a true return on investment. CollaborateMD customers enjoy fast implementation, exceptional and unlimited support and most importantly, increased office efficiency and reduced accounts-receivable. For more information, visit http://www.CollaborateMD.com or call 888.348.8457.

# # #

Fred Underhill
CollaborateMD
407-902-2960
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/collaboratemd-helps-reduce-co2-production-one-medical-practice-081812592.html

Cloud Solution Reduce Servers, Paper, Electricity Consumption and CO2 Production

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) December 15, 2011

CollaborateMD, a leading provider of cloud medical billing software for physician offices and medical billing services, today announced details on how their solution is helping save the environment by reducing energy consumption and paper usage, which is resulting in significant savings for their customers, while doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint.

CollaborateMD runs and operates a cloud medical office solution that requires only a computer with Internet access. CollaborateMD customers no longer need a PC dedicated to running the practice management application and database. Today any PC in the office can be setup to share files and printers and completely removes the need for a dedicated server. By removing a 500 watt dedicated server, running 24/7, an office could reduce their energy consumption by an estimated 4,000 kilowatts annually. The energy reduction would result in an estimated $400 annual savings in utility costs and a reduced carbon dioxide output by 5,000 pounds.

In addition to less hardware, the CollaborateMD medical office software helps reduce the amount of energy and paper consumed by increasing the amount of claims sent electronically versus claims being printed and mailed. In the past several years, CollaborateMD has helped reduce their customer’s percentage of paper claims to 7% from 12%. The 5% savings equates to an estimated reduction of 24,000 pieces of paper a month, plus envelopes, electricity powering printers and sorters, USPS machines and vehicles, and airline fuel.

“Over 6,000 people are sharing access to our six servers. We are proud that our service helps customers be more cost efficient and productive, while helping reduce energy consumption,” said Douglas Kegler, CEO and Founder, CollaborateMD. “I sleep better at night knowing that CollaborateMD helps our customers achieve their business objectives, of reducing cost and waste, while helping our environment become healthier.”

About CollaborateMD

Since 1999, CollaborateMD’s cloud healthcare solution is game changing factor on how medical businesses manage their medical practice and medical billing. CollaborateMD’s 100% Java solution, with its simplicity, ANSI 5010 compliant, affordable monthly fees, and 99% clean claim rate allow thousands of medical providers to see a true return on investment. CollaborateMD customers enjoy fast implementation, exceptional and unlimited support and most importantly, increased office efficiency and reduced accounts-receivable. For more information, visit http://www.CollaborateMD.com or call 888.348.8457.

# # #

Fred Underhill
CollaborateMD
407-902-2960
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/collaboratemd-helps-reduce-co2-production-one-medical-practice-081812592.html

TAMPA, Fla. , Dec. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Recognized by G.I. Jobs as a Military Friendly School®, Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) has been approved for participation in the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Program. Under the terms of this program, eligible servicemembers may apply military tuition assistance benefits toward UMA’s online healthcare degrees.

UMA is committed to providing education opportunities for Armed Forces personnel and has implemented numerous military-friendly policies. While servicemembers have been able to use military tuition assistance benefits at UMA since January 2011 , recent policy changes to the DoD Voluntary Education Programs now require educational institutions to have a Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on file with the DoD. The signed agreement between UMA and the DoD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness means that UMA is officially recognized as a participating institution under the Voluntary Education Partnership.

As stated in the Voluntary Education Partnership MoU, the DoD regards military tuition benefits as a “strategic investment” that helps servicemembers accomplish their mission within the Armed Forces and successfully return to civilian life afterward*. Under the DoD Joint Uniform Tuition Assistance program, eligible servicemembers may receive up to $4,500 per fiscal year – at a rate of $250 per semester hour or $166.67 per quarter hour – toward the cost of tuition.

Brian Braggs , Director of Military and Veteran Affairs at Ultimate Medical Academy, reaffirmed the school’s enduring commitment to military students. “UMA has a long history of providing quality healthcare education programs to the men and women of the Armed Forces. By entering into a Voluntary Education Partnership with the Department of Defense, we have ensured our ongoing ability to serve these students, as we will be able to continue accepting their military tuition assistance benefits when the DoD policy changes take effect in 2012,” he explained.

“Tuition assistance plays a key role in helping to make postsecondary education affordable for military students, while UMA’s online healthcare degree programs help make their education goals attainable – no matter where they’re stationed or living,” remarked Braggs. “We’re proud to support servicemembers in their pursuit of associate degrees and healthcare certification, and our faculty and staff remain dedicated to preparing them for employment in the allied health field.”

In addition to accepting military tuition assistance, UMA offers a number of other benefits that have contributed to its recognition as a Military Friendly School. These advantages include:

• Special tuition pricing for active-duty servicemembers, guard, reserves and veterans, as well as spouses and qualifying dependents of active-duty military
• Waived registration fee
• Patriot Grant to cover the cost of books
• Credit transfers for eligible military experience

Military students can choose from a variety of UMA healthcare training and degree programs online. Options include Associate of Science degrees in Medical Billing and Coding, Health Information Technology, Healthcare Management and Spa Management, as well as a Health Sciences associate degree with a choice of concentrations : Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office and Billing Specialist, and Pharmacy Technician.

For more information on UMA’s healthcare degree programs and military-friendly policies, visit http://www.ultimatemedical.edu.

About Ultimate Medical Academy

Founded in 1994 and located in Florida , Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) offers dynamic healthcare training and degree programs that empower students to enter and advance within the growing allied health field. UMA is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and dedicated to providing a superior education in a supportive, professional and ethical environment. With locations in Tampa and Clearwater as well as online healthcare programs, UMA has helped thousands of students launch healthcare careers in Florida and beyond.

For information on student graduation rates, retention and placement rates, and student financial obligations, visit www.ultimatemedical.edu/consumerinfo.

Join Ultimate Medical Academy on Facebook.
View our Ultimate Medical Academy videos on YouTube.

* Department of Defense. Instruction: Voluntary Education Programs. “Appendix to Enclosure 3: Figure 1.” http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/132225p.pdf

Media Inquires:

Tricia Wong
Director of Marketing
Ultimate Medical Academy
Phone: 813-676-1646

This press release distribution was issued by PR Syndication.

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ultimate-medical-academy-uma-enters-120000251.html

TAMPA, Fla. , Dec. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Recognized by G.I. Jobs as a Military Friendly School®, Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) has been approved for participation in the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Program. Under the terms of this program, eligible servicemembers may apply military tuition assistance benefits toward UMA’s online healthcare degrees.

UMA is committed to providing education opportunities for Armed Forces personnel and has implemented numerous military-friendly policies. While servicemembers have been able to use military tuition assistance benefits at UMA since January 2011 , recent policy changes to the DoD Voluntary Education Programs now require educational institutions to have a Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on file with the DoD. The signed agreement between UMA and the DoD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness means that UMA is officially recognized as a participating institution under the Voluntary Education Partnership.

As stated in the Voluntary Education Partnership MoU, the DoD regards military tuition benefits as a “strategic investment” that helps servicemembers accomplish their mission within the Armed Forces and successfully return to civilian life afterward*. Under the DoD Joint Uniform Tuition Assistance program, eligible servicemembers may receive up to $4,500 per fiscal year – at a rate of $250 per semester hour or $166.67 per quarter hour – toward the cost of tuition.

Brian Braggs , Director of Military and Veteran Affairs at Ultimate Medical Academy, reaffirmed the school’s enduring commitment to military students. “UMA has a long history of providing quality healthcare education programs to the men and women of the Armed Forces. By entering into a Voluntary Education Partnership with the Department of Defense, we have ensured our ongoing ability to serve these students, as we will be able to continue accepting their military tuition assistance benefits when the DoD policy changes take effect in 2012,” he explained.

“Tuition assistance plays a key role in helping to make postsecondary education affordable for military students, while UMA’s online healthcare degree programs help make their education goals attainable – no matter where they’re stationed or living,” remarked Braggs. “We’re proud to support servicemembers in their pursuit of associate degrees and healthcare certification, and our faculty and staff remain dedicated to preparing them for employment in the allied health field.”

In addition to accepting military tuition assistance, UMA offers a number of other benefits that have contributed to its recognition as a Military Friendly School. These advantages include:

• Special tuition pricing for active-duty servicemembers, guard, reserves and veterans, as well as spouses and qualifying dependents of active-duty military
• Waived registration fee
• Patriot Grant to cover the cost of books
• Credit transfers for eligible military experience

Military students can choose from a variety of UMA healthcare training and degree programs online. Options include Associate of Science degrees in Medical Billing and Coding, Health Information Technology, Healthcare Management and Spa Management, as well as a Health Sciences associate degree with a choice of concentrations : Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Office and Billing Specialist, and Pharmacy Technician.

For more information on UMA’s healthcare degree programs and military-friendly policies, visit http://www.ultimatemedical.edu.

About Ultimate Medical Academy

Founded in 1994 and located in Florida , Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) offers dynamic healthcare training and degree programs that empower students to enter and advance within the growing allied health field. UMA is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and dedicated to providing a superior education in a supportive, professional and ethical environment. With locations in Tampa and Clearwater as well as online healthcare programs, UMA has helped thousands of students launch healthcare careers in Florida and beyond.

For information on student graduation rates, retention and placement rates, and student financial obligations, visit www.ultimatemedical.edu/consumerinfo.

Join Ultimate Medical Academy on Facebook.
View our Ultimate Medical Academy videos on YouTube.

* Department of Defense. Instruction: Voluntary Education Programs. “Appendix to Enclosure 3: Figure 1.” http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/132225p.pdf

Media Inquires:

Tricia Wong
Director of Marketing
Ultimate Medical Academy
Phone: 813-676-1646

This press release distribution was issued by PR Syndication.

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ultimate-medical-academy-uma-enters-120000251.html

Maryann T. Holcomb-Dziennik, a retired medical billing specialist and foster mother to 33 babies, died of breast cancer Dec. 13 at her Essex home. She was 64.

Born Maryann Theresa Bohland in Baltimore and raised in Canton, she was a 1965 Patterson High School graduate.

As her own children grew up, Mrs. Holcomb-Dziennik worked with Catholic Charities and became a foster mother to 33 babies.

“She made everyone feel loved and welcome in her home,” said her son, Tom Holcomb of Baltimore. “She had a gift for settling down even the most challenging babies. She also took care of anyone who was alone and in need of company. The house was a revolving door. People would stop in and stay for a while and then leave.”

Mrs. Holcomb-Dziennik had worked as a medical billing specialist at Villa Maria in Timonium.

“Her spirit and kindness to clients was just amazing,” said Susan Gilmore, Villa Maria’s senior financial manager. “She had an incredible work ethic.”

Mrs. Holcomb-Dziennik coached her daughter’s team at the Essex Recreation League in the 1980s. She was also an Alpine Gardens Home Association board member. She had written a weekly neighborhood news for the Essex Times about 25 years ago.

She also organized and delivered food and presents to families at Christmas time. She vacationed in Ocean City and wagered at Dover Downs and Delaware Park. She was also a fan of bingo scratch-offs. A baker, she made pound cakes for family and friends.

She followed sports, including the Orioles, Baltimore Colts and Ravens. “She could not bring herself to call the Colts by name anymore,” her son said. “She called them ‘the team from Indianapolis.’”

In addition to her son, survivors include her husband of 11 years, Robert F. Dziennik; two daughters, Lori Valdivia and Amy Thomas, both of Baltimore; a stepson, Steve Dziennik of Harleysville, Pa.; a stepdaughter, Karen Cimino of Baltimore; three brothers, Ray Lurz of Ocean Pines, Bo Lurz of Baltimore and Clyde McWilliams of Bel Air; three sisters, Betty Mitchell of Ocean Pines, Joyce Wingate of Ocean Pines and Deniese Baslik of Baltimore; and 10 grandchildren. Her husband of 28 years, Thomas Holcomb, died in 1994.

A Mass was offered Saturday at St. Clare’s Roman Catholic Church, where she was a member.

jacques.kelly@baltsun.com

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Article source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/obituaries/bs-md-ob-maryann-dziennik-20111221,0,7401084.story?track=rss

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