Risk Management

The Risk Management team talks to health care providers, gathers information and submits medical malpractice claims to the WV Board of Risk and Insurance Management and AIG Claims Services. The staff monitors the costs associated with each medical malpractice claim, verifies accounting of the escrow account for the deductible amounts and reports on claims and costs on a regular basis. They also maintain a database of claims and suits, named defendants and case status to be able to answer insurance inquiries for WVU health care providers. The staff provides risk management, HIPAA, and other educational presentations at the HSC. When a process server comes with a subpoena, they contact the provider, gather information and help coordinate testimony.

The mission of the HSC Privacy Office is to oversee the ongoing activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance, and adherence to the HSC's policies and procedures covering the privacy of and access to protected health information, in compliance with federal and state laws.  The Office exists to provide a structure that promotes understanding and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rules, related provisions of the HITECH Act and applicable West Virginia privacy and security laws.  West Virginia University (WVU) is a covered entity that functions as a "hybrid covered entity" under HIPAA.  The health care components and components acting as business associates within WVU Health Sciences Center (HSC) are required to comply with HIPAA.  In addition, the WVU HSC works closely with related HIPAA covered entities such as WVU Hospitals, the WVU Medical Corporation and the WVU Dental Corporation, and due to the close collaboration on educational and clinical research endeavors is a member of an Organized Healthcare Arrangement (OHCA) with these aforementioned entities.