Concurrent Technologies provides optimum HIPAA-compliant solutions with its "Single Point of Partnership" approach.

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, has been revolutionizing the way that health information, which is protected by privacy laws, is stored, transmitted and processed. Health care businesses have had to take company-wide steps to adhere to HIPAA's broad-based privacy, security and transaction standards. Concurrent Technologies Corp, a Total Solutions Provider located in Liberty Corner, has partnered closely with its health care and insurance clients to assist them in "re-architecting" how sensitive health information is managed. Concurrent's role includes acting as a valued business associate in ensuring that privacy rights of patients are maintained in the applications they design, build and support.

Linda Hetcher, vice president of professional services, explained Concurrent's role in helping clients comply with HIPAA guidelines, "In order to meet the demands of HIPAA's three-part ruling, the computer and Internet solutions we build follow the security standards for the transmission of health information, protect the confidentiality and integrity of patient records and support privacy provisions."

Health care businesses find themselves having to deal with both system-based and non-technical issues in the areas of security and privacy compliance. For example, written policies and procedures need to be developed, employees need to be trained on compliance practices, and physical safeguards need to be put in place to mitigate the risk of exposing private information. That in and of itself is a tall order for health care entities and many of them prefer to handle such functions in-house. At the same time, many rely on having their system-based and technology-driven challenges handled by a trusted outsourcing partner.

"Businesses are realizing the competitive and financial advantages of concentrating on their core offerings coupled with engaging outside expertise to address the time-bound, often complex technology demands of their industry," Hetcher said.

Concurrent Technologies views meeting the demands of HIPAA as a way for its clients to achieve a strategic advantage. With the comprehensive Web-based applications Concurrent delivers, clients have been able to securely and effectively move away from paper-based transactions into the realm of an electronic-based business, while remaining HIPPA-compliant.

"It really translates into an opportunity for our clients to streamline operations and reduce costs, at the same time they are meeting federal legal requirements," Michael Shirzad, president of Concurrent Technologies, emphasized. "With our knowledge of electronic data interchange standards for the health care industry and proven experience in proper handling of the associated data, our applications effectively connect health entities, while saving expenses and helping them to improve customer satisfaction levels."

Specifically, the applications that health care entities need to stay competitive and offer topnotch customer service include, but are not limited to, facilitating claims processing, benefits management and eligibility inquiries on-line. Using the Internet to enable customer self-servicing in real-time is an ideal approach. Concurrent's solutions provide that capability and at the same time are tailored to address user authentication, information access controls and auditing requirements. Because Concurrent is a Total Solutions Provider, the company also can offer clients managed services for the Web-based solutions they design and build. This affords clients a "single point of partnership" for application development and support. Health care entities receive the benefits of hosting, help desk services and performance management, as well as network and hardware configurations through Concurrent's full-service arrangements. This is achieved through the secured, on-site data center in Liberty Corner that Concurrent owns and operates.

"We know compliance presents many challenges for health care entities," Shirzad stated. "Our mission is to help our clients meet the HIPPA guidelines and deadlines by delivering solutions that optimize productivity and provide worry-free support services. The end game is to serve every constituency well, including the benefits carriers, health care providers, employers and, of course, the patients themselves."