Confused about what the Red Flags Rule means for us in the veterinary community? Well we have designed a simple document and training package to help you be compliant with the new rules.
Below is information on the various delays and reasoning behind them, however The bottom line is that we all should have in place a program that protects our clients personal information from potential Identity Theft. It is not an outrageous request nor is compliance burdensome. The tools our package gives you lets you become instantly and painlessly 100% compliant with RFR regulations. Don't let the identity theft companies fool you into thinking you have to add their packages onto your system and sell their insurance products to your staff or clients- Don't be confused by the lawyers filing suit for the AMA- they simply are trying to make $$$s while confusing the issue and are not making any friends in the process. The simple truth is we all should be taking precautions to protect our clients as well as our employees personal information. We have discussed this concept of confidentiality somewhat in our HIPAA section of regulatory control, but this is the new law and specific regulation and requirement coming from the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) that is to protect personal information from identity theft. Be reassured that once again by coming here to Kendrick Technical Services that we have you covered. Bottom Line: All Clinics Must Have a Written Protocol in place and staff training completed and documented by December 31, 2010 It is not difficult and it simply makes good business sense. Time is running out! Get your training in place now! We have the programs you need: the compliance package contains the following: 1) An information sheet answering the who what how why and more 2) A simple checklist to help you analyze your weaknesses 3) A confidentiality statement for employees to sign 4) Your RFR policy statement for your clinic 5) Management Training PowerPoint program on RFR Compliance 6) Employee Training PowerPoint program on RFR compliance 7) Vendor form 8) Free PowerPoint Readers Included!! Complete package for your use to keep you compliant, available for a nominal fee of only $259 for the download and $349 (plus $7.95 S & H) for the CD-ROM Includes PowerPoint Training program for required employee training! Please click links below to order: Red Flags Rule Compliance package CD-ROM $359 plus $7.95 S&H Red Flags Rule Compliance Package $259 Download Only (shortly after we receive the order you will receive an email with the download link)
Red Flags Rule Quick Fix: Onsite Solution Only $750 plus travel Time involved: approximately 2 hours What Do I Do?: I Set up the forms for your clinic and train the management staff as well as the employees that day onsite. Plus I leave you with a desktop icon that has PowerPoint training program for future training of employees who were unable to be there for onsite training that day! Cost: only$750 (plus travel) Want On-site Assistance in RFR Compliance set up and staff training? Well this is the way to do it: Doc Chery will come to your practice and completely set up the RFR compliance program and train management team plus do an onsite employee training session. Backup of all training materials are left for you for any further training plus as always with any onsite services you have the knowledge that you are able to call Doc 24/7 with any questions. This service takes approximately 2 hours including the 20 minute staff training presentation. click "Buy Now" to start the process. Doc will then contact you to arrange the time that is most convenient for you! (Travel invoiced at onsite) What others are saying: "Doc thanks so much for this new program! Once again you have provided an easy affordable solution to a regulatory requirement for our clinic. Can't say enough about the ease of use of this too! Thanks Doc!" Dr. Karen L, Philadelphia PA "You hit a grand slam with this one Chery thanks! (thought I would use that baseball analogy since I know you love this time of year) Go Reds and go Doc C! " Dr. Richard, Boston MA "Wow Doc!! I was so relieved that you came to do the set up at the clinic for me. And I know we could have done the presentation using the great tools you developed but it just went so smoothly and was so great having you there to answer all of our staff's questions. Guess I shouldn't say this but I would have gladly have paid 10 times as much for this peace of mind! Thanks again Doc" Dr. Michael G., Atlanta GA "Thanks for the help with the software Dr. Kendrick. Once we had the reader downloaded the programs ran smoothly. Love the ease of training the employees with this and thanks for the management training program too as I now know what this Red Flag is all about!" Dr. Leslie, Grand Rapids MI FTC Alerts:
For Release: 05/28/2010
FTC Extends Enforcement Deadline for Identity Theft Red Flags Rule At the request of several Members of Congress, the Federal Trade Commission is further delaying enforcement of the “Red Flags” Rule through December 31, 2010, while Congress considers legislation that would affect the scope of entities covered by the Rule. Today’s announcement and the release of an Enforcement Policy Statement do not affect other federal agencies’ enforcement of the original November 1, 2008 deadline for institutions subject to their oversight to be in compliance. “Congress needs to fix the unintended consequences of the legislation establishing the Red Flags Rule – and to fix this problem quickly. We appreciate the efforts of Congressmen Barney Frank and John Adler for getting a clarifying measure passed in the House, and hope action in the Senate will be swift,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said. “As an agency we’re charged with enforcing the law, and endless extensions delay enforcement.” The Rule was developed under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, in which Congress directed the FTC and other agencies to develop regulations requiring “creditors” and “financial institutions” to address the risk of identity theft. The resulting Red Flags Rule requires all such entities that have “covered accounts” to develop and implement written identity theft prevention programs to help identify, detect, and respond to patterns, practices, or specific activities – known as “red flags” – that could indicate identity theft. The Rule became effective on January 1, 2008, with full compliance for all covered entities originally required by November 1, 2008. The Commission has issued several Enforcement Policies delaying enforcement of the Rule. Most recently, the Commission announced in October 2009 that at the request of certain Members of Congress, it was delaying enforcement of the Rule until June 1, 2010, to allow Congress time to finalize legislation that would limit the scope of business covered by the Rule. Since then, the Commission has received another request from Members of Congress for another delay in enforcement of the Rule beyond June 1, 2010. The Commission urges Congress to act quickly to pass legislation that will resolve any questions as to which entities are covered by the Rule and obviate the need for further enforcement delays. If Congress passes legislation limiting the scope of the Red Flags Rule with an effective date earlier than December 31, 2010, the Commission will begin enforcement as of that effective date. In the interim, FTC staff has continued to provide guidance, both through materials posted on www.ftc.gov/redflagsrule, and in speeches and participation in seminars, conferences and other training events to numerous groups. The FTC also published a compliance guide for business, and created a template that enables low risk entities to create an identity theft program with an easy-to-use online form (www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/redflagsrule/get- started.shtm). The FTC staff also has published numerous general and industry-specific articles, released a video explaining the Rule, and continues to respond to inquiries from the public. To assist further with compliance, FTC staff has worked with a number of trade associations that have chosen to develop model policies or specialized guidance for their members. As was the case previously, this enforcement delay is limited to the Red Flags Rule and does not extend to the rule regarding address discrepancies applicable to users of consumer reports (16 C.F.R.§641), or to the rule regarding changes of address applicable to card issuers (16 C.F.R.§681.2). For questions regarding this Enforcement Policy, please contact Naomi Lefkovitz or Pavneet Singh, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2252. The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1- 877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 1,800 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s Web site provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. MEDIA CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2180 (Red Flags May 2010) Update March 30, 2010: The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3763, proposing to exempt certain businesses (including veterinarians) with less than 20 employees from having to comply with the "Red Flags Rule." This bill replaces H.R. 2345 and now goes to the U.S. Senate. At this time, this bill has not been passed into law, and veterinarians are still expected to comply with the Red Flags Rule before the current enforcement date. On January 27, 2010, the AVMA and three other national medical associations petitioned the FTC to exclude health professionals from the Red Flags Rule, based on a recent court opinion that the Rule does not apply to attorneys. The FTC is appealing that decision, and on March 25, 2010, it (the FTC) responded negatively to requests from AVMA and the other medical associations. Past Rulings of Importance: The ruling came down in May 2009 that the Red Flags Rule DOES apply to the veterinary industry therefore all veterinary clinics must comply with the Red Flags Rule. You can do this by having a written protocol covering how you will protect the financial and personal information of your clients as well as a checklist to look for "Red Flags" and staff training-
Training for your team?? (plus travel- travel invoiced and due at onsite) Includes all documents Click Here for Both!