Is National Information Services (NIS) HIPAA compliant?
Dentrix and NIS provide products and services that are designed to help you comply with various HIPAA standards as the compliance dates for each HIPAA standard approach. It is not possible for Dentrix or NIS to make a dental office completely "HIPAA-compliant". For example, the HIPAA Standards for Privacy require each dental office to address internal policies and procedures and to change their practices in ways that extend beyond the scope of any computer system.

NIS electronic claims features allow you to transmit claims in compliance with the HIPAA Standards for Electronic Transactions. Electronic Claims Transmissions from DENTRIX have been tested and certified by Claredi, an independent testing organization. As additional types of electronic transactions subject to HIPAA are provided for our customers, they will also be tested and certified for HIPAA compliance.

Can you send me a letter stating that you are HIPAA compliant?
Dentrix Dental Systems can send you a letter for your files. You can request a copy by calling NIS at 1-800-734-5561, online at www.nationalinfo.com, or request it via e-mail at hipaa@dentrix.com. Because the HIPAA Standards for Privacy address polices and procedures within a dental practice that extend beyond the scope of any computer system, it is not possible for any software to make a dental office "HIPAA-compliant". Dentrix Dental Systems and NIS can provide products and services designed to help you comply with the various HIPAA standards.

What will happen if I'm not compliant?
Information can be found at www.hipaadvisory.com and with the American Dental Association at www.ada.org.

What do we need to do in order to become HIPAA compliant?
It is the responsibility of each healthcare provider to understand HIPAA. There are many publications and Internet sites to help with this process, such as www.hipaadvisory.com and www.ada.org. The HIPAA Privacy Standard states that each office should designate an individual to be responsible for seeing that the privacy procedures are adopted and followed. In order to do this, the designated individual will need to be very familiar with HIPAA standards.

Dentrix and NIS provide products and services designed to help you comply with some of the HIPAA standards. If your practice is subscribed to a customer service plan, you will receive software upgrades offering features to help you comply with some of the various HIPAA standards. If you are not subscribed to one of our service plans, please call Dentrix Dental Systems at 1-800-DENTRIX.

Are you going to keep your customers informed of HIPPA developments?
Dentrix and NIS will continue to provide its customers with HIPAA-related news and information. The latest information can be found on line at www.nationalinfo.com. Information will also be made available through newsletters and other electronic media. You may also send questions via e-mail to hipaa@nationalinfo.com or hipaa@dentrix.com.

Will there be a software upgrade for HIPAA?
Each DENTRIX upgrade will provide features designed to help you comply with the various HIPAA standards as the compliance dates for each HIPAA standard approach. It is not possible for any software to make a dental office "HIPAA-compliant". As long as you are subscribed to a customer service plan you will automatically receive all upgrades which can help your practice to be HIPAA compliant. If you have not subscribed to one of the customer service plans, please call Dentrix Dental Systems at 1-800-DENTRIX.

Do I have to upgrade to be HIPAA compliant?
Not at this time. But it is recommended that you upgrade to receive the features that will help you with some HIPAA compliancy issues. You may wish to explore the value of subscribing to a customer service plan that offers toll-free technical support as well as all upgrades for one low monthly payment. Please call Dentrix Dental Systems at 1-800-DENTRIX.