Medical Billing Forum

General Category => General Questions => : PMRNC January 15, 2014, 11:19:36 PM

: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: PMRNC January 15, 2014, 11:19:36 PM
http://www.emrandhipaa.com/emr-and-hipaa/2013/12/12/windows-xp-wont-be-hipaa-compliant-april-8-2014/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#!

As of 4/8/2014  Windows XP will NOT be HIPAA compliant.     
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: RichardP January 16, 2014, 02:29:00 AM
Here's a link from the comments section of Linda's link:

http://www.additiveanalytics.com/blog/04-08-2014-will-organization-lose-hipaa-compliance/
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: DMK January 16, 2014, 03:48:38 PM
Okay.  Here's my rant for the month  >:(  I am SO fed up with being forced to change crap yet again!  HCFA forms, coding, software, electronic claims, uploads, downloads, now I have to buy new computers for new frickin' operating systems.  Doesn't anyone realize that it all costs money, and lots of it?  The public complains about health care costing too much, but this is all part of it!  We can use our hands and brains to provide the ACTUAL care, but the tools required to just file a damn claim keep having to be changed again and again!  GRRRRRRR!
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: PMRNC January 16, 2014, 06:16:19 PM
I don't know why vendors are not going APPLE... come on and catch up.. I think people would pay a bit more for better security. There is no debate that Apple has a better platform than Windows by far and much more superior.
So why don't PM vendors get on board with technology? Make Microsoft improve ...   I for one am sick of switching to Windows or downloading windows updates that crash. I moved away from XP a while ago and I agree 12 years is a long time.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: Michele January 16, 2014, 07:18:25 PM
Wow, thanks for sharing the info!  I had no idea. 
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: Merry January 16, 2014, 08:33:03 PM
Funny thing is that all the offices here (Stanford etc) use XP. WE have known about the cut off for years. Isn't anyone listening?

Merry
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: Billing2 January 16, 2014, 09:31:17 PM
Okay.  Here's my rant for the month  >:(  I am SO fed up with being forced to change crap yet again!  HCFA forms, coding, software, electronic claims, uploads, downloads, now I have to buy new computers for new frickin' operating systems.  Doesn't anyone realize that it all costs money, and lots of it?  The public complains about health care costing too much, but this is all part of it!  We can use our hands and brains to provide the ACTUAL care, but the tools required to just file a damn claim keep having to be changed again and again!  GRRRRRRR!

I'm right with you DMK. >:( >:( >:( >:(
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: RichardP January 17, 2014, 12:09:32 AM
This is an attempt to be useful.  If it is inappropriate, someone can take it down.

We have a 12-computer network that is connected to a 75-computer network - all individual doctors and staff, not a doctors group.  I have never purchased new computers for our network.  Always used.  I get a computer, plus the operating system, for less than the cost of the operating system (roughly $250 - $350 per computer).  First group of used computers lasted about eight years.  They would have continued being useful, but they were Win2000 and I needed WinXP.  Have had the used WinXP computers for about 3 years, and am getting ready to replace them with newer used computers that have multi-core and Win7 - because we will be upgrading to a Win SQL-Server-based practice management system that benefits from multi-core.  (Our dinosaur billing software will not be upgraded to print to the new CMS Form come April 1.)

For those who have WinXP and would like Win7 for HIPAA compliance, this might be an inexpensive way to make the switch.  I am using the Dell Optiplex 745 - so that is the page I am linking to here.  You can back up to the home page and explore other stuff if you want.  They have a huge warehouse just south of Los Angeles.  I picked up my computers in person, but they will ship to wherever you are.

http://www.insightsystemsonline.com/search.asp?keyword=dell+optiplex&search.x=0&search.y=0

My guy is:

Michael Amodeo |  Insight Systems Exchange | ph-714.622.3181 | fax-714.751.3613
| cell-203.819.0458

If you are curious about the practice management system, here is the link.  We are not getting the EMR, so we will shell out around $7,000.  Full system is around $15,000, but EMR and Practice Management share a single database.  And it has pop-up notes, which we need due to the complexity of our billing (labs and radiology, etc.)

http://www.mdsuite.com/practice-management

(They are in a suburb of San Diego.  Kareo is in or is close to Irvine, CA - about halfway between LA and San Diego, give or take.)
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: PMRNC January 17, 2014, 05:03:45 PM
Full system is around $15,000, but EMR and Practice Management share a single database.  And it has pop-up notes, which we need due to the complexity of our billing (labs and radiology, etc.)

You mean each client has their own database right? Just clarifying.

I'm still scratching my head as to why vendors don't move to MAC.. it's an awfully well known FACT they are more secure. I'm GUESSING it's costs. Good thing MAC doesn't put costs ahead of quality unlike Microsoft.     I moved from XP a long time ago as it was a horrible OS.. with each new version of Microsoft Windows comes NEW problems.. even Microsoft servers leave a lot to be desired with functionality and security.  Sorry.. JMHO
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: shanbull January 17, 2014, 07:21:49 PM
Annnd of course no one at our clinic had any idea. This is great. 100% of our computers run on XP.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: RichardP January 17, 2014, 08:55:07 PM
You mean each client has their own database right? Just clarifying.


Short answer is "yes".  Note that we are not using the EMR part of the program.  As a billing service, we will buy one instance of the Practice Management part of the program, which can open and use multiple databases.  We use one database for each client.  We could use only one database, and place all of our clients in that single database, but would probably run afoul of the next paragraph.

One database can house multiple providers, for both the EMR and the Practice Management functions.  However, there is a slightly-lesser fee charged by the vendor to "allow" the database to process data for each subsequent provider.

I'm still scratching my head as to why vendors don't move to MAC.. it's an awfully well known FACT they are more secure.

Apple devices are not inherently more secure.  The perceived security comes from the fact that they have such a small business market-share that no hacker with any pride will write a virus or worm, etc. for Apple products.  Biggest destruction bang for the buck is to write malicious code for PC machines.

Since Apple started using Intel processers a few years ago, you can run any Windows program on an Apple machine after installing an appropriate piece of software.  These Windows programs, run on Apple machines, are just as susceptible to viruses and worms etc. as they are when run on PC machines.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: RichardP January 17, 2014, 09:03:24 PM
Annnd of course ... 100% of our computers run on XP.

Re. the comments sections of the links that Linda and I provided above:  someone made the point that probably all vulnerabilities of WinXP have been exploited by now, so no great shakes that Microsoft will stop writing patches.  Someone else suggested that maybe some particularly vicious hackers, knowing that Microsoft will stop writing patches as of a certain data, have discovered vulnerabilities and written hacks for them, waiting until the day after Microsoft stops supporting WinXP.  When released after that date, all malicious code will have nothing to stop it from spreading destruction to all WinXP computers.  Perhaps a bit overblown, but a possibility nonetheless.  I guess we will find out, as lots of folks are in shanbull's position - they don't know about this, and will continue operating with WinXP computers.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: KarenH January 20, 2014, 10:31:41 AM
Still waiting for the new release of the program I use and getting very impatient it runs on XP. Promises and promises for well over a year now. I haven't found another program that I like and is as user friendly and works for a billing service but getting close to moving all clients over to another program. Every time I call to find out about the re-write I just get another excuse. My clients love the reports it's user friendly but I don't think it's being handled well at all. Just venting...
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: Michele January 20, 2014, 03:41:21 PM
What program are you on?
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: PMRNC January 20, 2014, 09:27:19 PM
5 or 6 years ago I'd never thought I would get to the point where I LOVE web base/ASP.  LOL  I was totally against it but Now I don't think many vendors stand a chance w/out it today.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: shanbull January 21, 2014, 01:19:39 PM
Annnd of course ... 100% of our computers run on XP.

Re. the comments sections of the links that Linda and I provided above:  someone made the point that probably all vulnerabilities of WinXP have been exploited by now, so no great shakes that Microsoft will stop writing patches.  Someone else suggested that maybe some particularly vicious hackers, knowing that Microsoft will stop writing patches as of a certain data, have discovered vulnerabilities and written hacks for them, waiting until the day after Microsoft stops supporting WinXP.  When released after that date, all malicious code will have nothing to stop it from spreading destruction to all WinXP computers.  Perhaps a bit overblown, but a possibility nonetheless.  I guess we will find out, as lots of folks are in shanbull's position - they don't know about this, and will continue operating with WinXP computers.

We're taking this seriously, no reason to be vulnerable on this level. We are switching all computers to Windows 7. The providers will be thrilled, I'm sure. They hate adapting to new tech. I'm just going to keep telling them we have to switch sooner or later because none of our software will have updates for XP. I just hope Windows 7 is similar enough that there isn't going to be a steep learning curve for them to figure out how to do things. We're cutting really close as it is with this rushed upgrade! Just getting our drivers re-installed for all the printers/scanners/fax machines will take a week.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: PMRNC January 21, 2014, 04:50:19 PM
I def see problems if you have not switched too but I don't think I would call it rushed as Win XP is 12 years old and actually they extended support on it longer than most versions I think. I went to Win 7 a long time ago (HATE windows 8) and 7 is way more stable than XP. As a rule I never upgrade a Microsoft product until after 1-3 service packs are released and then a couple months later.

: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: KarenH January 21, 2014, 05:19:28 PM
They're supposed to be going web based and also staying server based. It's a matter of continually having to contact "them" to have the re-write done. Just constant delays I really don't want to change programs after all these years I'm quite content with this one. Every program I've tried doesn't stand up to what this program is (was). Right now I just need the new program but regardless I have to get 3 new computers and if they don't update soon and I still have to run XP for this program so I have a problem.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: Merry January 21, 2014, 06:01:28 PM
And they announced yesterday that most ATM's are still running on XP.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: RichardP January 21, 2014, 06:08:08 PM
I just hope Windows 7 is similar enough that there isn't going to be a steep learning curve for them to figure out how to do things.

I have a laptop that is running Windows 7.  When I got it, a friend switched the setting that makes it look like WinXP.  I was busy with something else and didn't see how he did it.  When I get the new used computers with Win7 on them, I will have him do the same to them.  But this time I will learn what he did.  When I get that info, I publish it here.  My laptop looks and runs pretty much like it has WinXP on it, even tho it is Win7.  However, ther are some changes to the file/folder setup that are different.  Can't remember exactly what at the moment.  But your providers probably won't be using the software at a level that requires them to know that anyway.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: Michele January 22, 2014, 01:11:24 PM
And they announced yesterday that most ATM's are still running on XP.

That's kinda scary.   ::)
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: shanbull January 22, 2014, 01:16:48 PM
I just hope Windows 7 is similar enough that there isn't going to be a steep learning curve for them to figure out how to do things.

I have a laptop that is running Windows 7.  When I got it, a friend switched the setting that makes it look like WinXP.  I was busy with something else and didn't see how he did it.  When I get the new used computers with Win7 on them, I will have him do the same to them.  But this time I will learn what he did.  When I get that info, I publish it here.  My laptop looks and runs pretty much like it has WinXP on it, even tho it is Win7.  However, ther are some changes to the file/folder setup that are different.  Can't remember exactly what at the moment.  But your providers probably won't be using the software at a level that requires them to know that anyway.

Thanks, that info would be really helpful! Anything to make the transition less frustrating for them would be wonderful.
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: RichardP January 22, 2014, 03:59:52 PM
And they announced yesterday that most ATM's are still running on XP.

That's kinda scary.   ::)

Not really.  The larger banks are striking private deals with Microsoft to extend support for an additional year.

http://news.slashdot.org/story/14/01/16/2323209/95-of-atms-worldwide-are-still-using-windows-xp
: Re: Using Windows XP... you won't be compliant!
: Michele January 23, 2014, 12:48:32 PM
Good to know!