FTC Delays Physician "Red Flag" Rules

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has delayed the May 1 implementation deadline of the "red flag" rules for physicians, setting a new compliance deadline of August 1, 2009. The red flag rules require creditors to have written policies for preventing and handing cases of identity theft. Physicians fall under the act because they receive deferred payment through insurers.

The American Medical Association (AMA) and other groups claim that the red flag rules place an unnecessary burden on physicians, especially small practice groups. They also claim that the protections intended under the FTC rules are already addressed under HIPAA.

Source: AMNews
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/05/11/gvl10511.htm