HIPAA Academy Selects Prometric and a Fully Integrated Thomson Solution
Donald W. Boucher
Prometric, a part of The Thomson Corporation
443.923.8031
donald.boucher@prometric.com
Michael T. Curry
HIPAA Academy
515.453.8247 x16
Mike.Curry@HIPAAAcademy.Net
www.HIPAAacademy.Net
Prometric Partners with HIPAA Academy to Validate HIPAA Skills Required for Compliance-based Health Care Solutions Across U.S.
New Certification Exams Support Federal Mandate
(BALTIMORE, MD - July 10, 2002) Prometric, a part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE, TSX: TOC) and the global leader in computer-based testing and assessment services, today announced its partnership with the HIPAA Academy, the organization that developed a two-level, vendor neutral, HIPAA skills certification program.
Prometric will deliver the Certified HIPAA Professional, Certified HIPAA Security Specialist and the Certified HIPAA Administrator Exams. The certification exams are aimed at helping healthcare organizations and professionals to improve knowledge, improve operations, and most of all validate skills of professionals engaged in Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance solutions. The exams will be delivered through Prometric's extensive U.S. test center network beginning this August.
Associated with HIPAA's Administrative Simplification Title are several compliance dates. Failure to comply with the legislative requirements by the defined dates could result in significant consequences including fines and imprisonment. HIPAA is transforming the healthcare industry in the areas of transactions, identifiers, privacy and security.
"The HIPAA legislation is the catalyst for massive transformation in the healthcare industry. Its immediate impact is the need for skilled professionals that understand HIPAA compliance requirements and can assist organizations with their HIPAA initiatives," said Allen Nguyen, HIPAA Academy President. "By partnering with Prometric to deliver our certification exams, we are providing testing candidates with a robust and more accurate testing experience, unrivaled access to conveniently located testing facilities, flexible test registration options and the benefit of Prometric's industry leading experience."
The HIPAA Academy delivers baseline HIPAA knowledge and validates competence in the core skills that are broadly required of many health care professionals including Executives, Senior Clinicians, Chief Information Officers, Lawyers, Compliance Officers, Privacy and Security Officials, Quality Assurance and Risk Managers, Insurance Executives, Physicians and Office Managers, Pharmaceutical Company Executives and Clinical Trial Organization Professionals.
The HIPAA Professional Exam validates knowledge and skills in the core areas of HIPAA Administrative Simplification legislation, Transactions and Code Sets Requirements, Privacy Requirements and Security Requirements.
The Certified HIPAA Security Specialist Exam validates skills in the specific security domains defined by the legislation including administration procedures, physical safeguards, technical security services, technical security mechanisms and electronic signatures.
The HIPAA Administrator Exam validates knowledge and skills of end users that are responsible for the delivery and support of healthcare services and administration.
"The HIPAA Academy certification program is a prescription for protecting public health and healthcare information," said Michael Brannick, Prometric President and Chief Executive Officer. "Given the scale and scope of the HIPAA act, and the sheer numbers of professionals who need to understand and comply with it, Prometric and other Thomson learning businesses will play a key role in dispensing this important healthcare initiative."
Business professionals in the healthcare and insurance industries as well as IT professionals are expected to find the HIPAA Academy Certification Exams the critical first steps for acquiring the knowledge and skills they need to participate more fully as valuable members of the HIPAA compliance teams within their respective organizations.
About Thomson and Prometric
The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 2001 revenues of $7.2 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software applications and tools to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE, TSX: TOC). Prometric (www.prometric.com), a part of The Thomson Corporation, is the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services for information technology certification, academic admissions, and professional licensure and certifications. Prometric delivers standardized tests for more than 200 clients, in more than 25 languages, over the Web or through a network of more than 4,800 testing centers in more than 140 countries. Based in Baltimore, Md., Prometric employs more than 3,000 employees worldwide.
About HIPAA Academy
HIPAA Academy delivers solutions to assist organizations with their HIPAA initiatives in the areas of HIPAA Professional Services, HIPAA Assessment, Interim HIPAA Compliance Officer and HIPAA Training and Certification. The HIPAA Academy is about developing and validating HIPAA knowledge. The training and certification program is designed to deliver the skills required for Certified HIPAA Professionals and Administrators to be effective members of enterprise HIPAA implementation initiatives. The HIPAA Academy also includes programs for Executives, administrators as well as HIPAA Compliance Officers.
Uday O. Ali Pabrai, Chairman of the HIPAA Academy, previously created the world-renowned Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) program and is the co-creator of the highly successful, vendor neutral, enterprise-ready, security certification program, SCP (www.SecurityCertified.Net). Ali's consulting engagements have included Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates, The U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs, Wells Fargo, Marsh/Seabury&Smith and many others. HIPAA Academy attendees have included healthcare professionals, IT professionals and legal professionals from across the U.S.A. Access www.HIPAAacademy.Net for more details about HIPAA Academy and additional resources such as a HIPAA FAQs and white papers.
