Thought Leader Mel Soliz Tapped by AzHIMA and The Health Management Academy to Share Latest Insights on Changes in Health Information Interoperability and Privacy

Accessing health information is becoming increasingly more common through electronic means and devices like patient portals and third-party applications, but it brings with it concerns regarding privacy, security, and the potential misuse of sensitive medical data. Mel Soliz — Partner and leader of the firm’s interoperability practice — delivered a series of presentations in June at the Arizona Health Information Management Association (AzHIMA) Annual Conference in Phoenix and The Health Management Academy Conference in Chicago. The topics focused on federal efforts to increase interoperability and how those efforts affect information sharing, including developments in electronic health information data policies, information blocking, the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA), and the use and disclosure of minor health information in compliance with state and federal data laws...

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Attorneys Kristen Rosati and Nate Kunz

Kristen Rosati & Nate Kunz Discuss Updated Guidelines on Health Care Organizations’ Use of Online Tracking Tools

Regulators have released new guidelines regarding healthcare organizations’ use of online tracking technologies in marketing practices. In their presentation to the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association, Kristen Rosati and Nate Kunz explained that these tools have been under increased scrutiny ever since STAT Health News released their investigation into online tracking. They also covered compliance requirements for HIPAA, Federal Trade Commission regulations, and state data privacy laws.  In anticipation of litigation related to the use of online tracking tools, they also covered how to conduct internal investigations in a manner to preserve attorney-client privilege. Kristen, a past President and Fellow of the American Health Law Association, is a nationally sought-after expert and speaker on “big data” and HIPAA compliance.  She has been leading a number of...

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Headshot of Mel Soliz

Partner Mel Soliz Discusses Innovation in Health Equity and Barriers to its Growth at HIMSS’ Interoperability and HIE Forum

Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. In her presentation to the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), Interoperability and Health Information Exchange Forum, Mel Soliz—Partner and leader of the firm’s interoperability practice—explained how health data interoperability and state and federal interoperability initiatives will advance health equity. Mel regularly speaks in local and national forums on interoperability and health equity. She is the President of the Arizona Society of Healthcare Attorneys and is recognized by Best Lawyers© and Southwest Super Lawyers: Rising Stars© for her work in health law....

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Headshot of Mel Soliz

Mel Soliz Presents a Health Care Training Webinar on the Information Blocking Rule (IBR) for Health Care Providers

Health care providers are prohibited from engaging in information blocking under the new federal Information Blocking Rule (IBR). Coppersmith Brockelman’s Partner Mel Soliz explains IBR requirements for health care providers in her educational webinar for Health Care Training. Mel covered the IBR’s background, enforcement structure and important deadlines; highlighted practices that implicate the prohibition on information blocking; IBR exceptions with a special focus on preventing harm, privacy, security, and content and manner; and best practices for IBR compliance. Mel regularly speaks in local and national forums on these topics and has been active in state and federal policy making on these issues. She is the President of the Arizona Society of Healthcare Attorneys and is recognized by Best Lawyers© and Southwest Super Lawyers: Rising Stars© for her...

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Headshot of Mel Soliz

Mel Soliz Delivers an Enlightening Presentation on FCA Liability and the Information Blocking Rule to the American Bar Association

Health care providers, health information networks/exchanges, and health IT developers must comply with the Information Blocking Rule (IBR). The IBR prohibits these actors from knowingly engaging in practices that are likely to interfere with the access, exchange or use of electronic health information (EHI), unless required by law or a regulatory exception applies. Melissa (Mel) Soliz, a Partner at Coppersmith Brockelman, explored IBR’s basic compliance requirements and the potential intersection between IBR compliance and False Claims Act (FCA) liability in her presentation to the American Bar Association. Mel regularly speaks in local and national forums on data privacy, access, and interoperability laws and is active in state and federal policy making on these issues. Heavily involved in her professional community, Mel is the President of the...

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Kristen Rosati, Karen Owens, Mel Soliz, and Marki Stewart

Four Coppersmith Brockelman Attorneys Lead Sessions at Arizona Health Law Conference

The Arizona Society of Healthcare Attorneys (AzSHA) hosted its Arizona Health Law Conference & Annual Meeting on February 24, during which local and national health law leaders covered monumental changes to health care law and policy over the last year. Coppersmith Brockelman health law attorneys — Melissa (Mel) Soliz, AzSHA president; Karen Owens, AzSHA VP and Director of Programming; and Marki Stewart, AzSHA’s Board Member; as well as Kristen Rosati (former AHLA President) — showed their deep experience on the topics ranging from data privacy, interoperability, and reproductive health rights to health equity and peer review. The event was a huge success among the Arizona health law community, as more than 140 attorneys, academics, compliance personnel and students were in attendance. Each Coppersmith attorney led their...

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