In a letter sent to Sens. John Thune and Mark Begich, the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association and 29 other organizations announced their support of the senators' proposal to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act regarding the applicability of identity theft (Red Flags) guidelines to exclude small healthcare providers from developing and implementing written identity theft programs, according to a copy of the letter published on the ASC Association website.
The senators are proposing that the term "creditor" in the Fair Credit Reporting Act exclude smaller healthcare practices. The FTC has determined that creditors include healthcare professionals and would thus be subject to the new law and be required to implement a Red Flags program by Jan. 1, 2011.
Read the ASC Association's letter about amending Red Flags guidelines (pdf).