The COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to adapt to a new normal. Work from home mandates pushed some firms to become fully remote, while others had to shutter completely. Severely impacted healthcare providers were on the frontlines navigating the virus and re-configuring their workspaces, personnel, and patient relationships. Telemedicine has also been widely adopted and expanded during the pandemic. And while healthcare has always been a convenient target for cyber-attacks, the increase in telemedicine brings with it a new set of challenges. Read on to learn about the critical Telemedicine cybersecurity concerns for 2021 and beyond. (more…)
Category: HIPAA / Healthcare Industry
Explore HIPAA compliance resources for the healthcare industry. Learn requirements, privacy rules, and best practices to safeguard patient data and avoid violations.
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Does HITECH Affect HIPAA?
Over the past three decades, America has been transformed by revolutionary technologies such as the internet, PC, laptop, and mobile phone. New tech ushered the world into the Information Age, creating a paradigm shift in how data and information could be logged, stored, and shared. This change completely altered the face of the American economy; and in the space of a few years, digital electronics became an essential facet of business life. Few industries were as fundamentally impacted by this shift as the healthcare industry. Seeing this, the U.S. government created security measures to protect private electronic patient info. They started with HIPAA in 1996, which then received a much-needed update more than a decade later with the HITECH Act. Naturally, you might wonder, how does HITECH act affect HIPAA? Below, we’ll answer that question and others related to both information security regulations. (more…)
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HIPAA Guidelines For Employees
HIPAA guidelines have been shaping the healthcare industry since the late 1990s, yet many organizations still struggle to comply with their requirements. A common area of concern for covered entities is the protection of patients’ protected health information (PHI). Failing to safeguard this sensitive data can lead to serious consequences, including data breaches, identity theft, fraud, loss of patient trust, fines, and even legal action.
One of the main reasons for HIPAA non-compliance is human error. Employees may unintentionally expose PHI due to a lack of understanding, training, or awareness. While these mistakes are rarely malicious, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) does not accept ignorance as an excuse. That’s why it’s essential to ensure that all team members follow proper HIPAA guidelines for employees and understand their responsibilities in protecting patient information.
Learn more about our HIPAA guidelines for employees to strengthen compliance and protect your organization.
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Safe Harbor Provisions Under HIPAA Explained
Businesses within and adjacent to the healthcare industry must follow strenuous controls to safeguard the class of data known as “protected health information” (PHI). Per the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), de-identification is one central protection element. An innovative option available to businesses that need HIPAA compliance is an approach called “HIPPA safe harbor.” Read on to learn the safe harbor provisions under HIPAA and how to implement them in your healthcare business. (more…)
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What Is the Difference Between Protected Health Information and Consumer Health Information?
A new technological era is upon us. Over the last 25 years, the meteoric rise of computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices have infused our world with a new sense of possibility. With it comes the need for higher security measures and data protection. That holds double for the healthcare industry. With the type of information stored away in electronic health records (EHRs), healthcare organizations have a responsibility to secure the sensitive information provided by their patients. And according to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), signed into law in 1996, they do. It’s called protected health information (PHI).
But what is protected health information? And how does it differ from consumer health information (CHI), another term thrown around the health-tech sector? For everything you need to know, read ahead.
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What Is Considered a Breach of HIPAA?
When it was first introduced in 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) aimed to transform the healthcare industry and bring it into the modern era. While its initial rollout lacked strong enforcement measures, subsequent rules and programs, like HITECH, have strengthened compliance and accountability. Today, any business found responsible for a HIPAA breach can face serious penalties. That’s why it’s essential to understand what counts as a HIPAA breach, the potential consequences, and the steps you can take to stay compliant.
In this article, we’ll explain what is considered a HIPAA breach, outline common violations, and share strategies to protect your organization and patient data. (more…)
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Your HIPAA Security Rule Checklist
Healthcare organizations handle large amounts of sensitive patient information. If this data is lost or stolen, it can lead to identity theft and delays in patient care. To protect patient data, the HIPAA Security Rule sets national standards for the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). This HIPAA Security Rule checklist helps your organization understand these requirements and take actionable steps toward compliance.
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Basic Patient Data Rights Under HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) significantly improved the healthcare industry’s cybersecurity landscape. HIPAA’s impacts went beyond the healthcare practices and associated businesses; there are also several HIPAA patient rights granted to healthcare consumers. At the most basic level, these include reasonable expectations of privacy and access. Let’s take a closer look. (more…)
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What Is the Difference Between HIPAA vs. FERPA?
In recent decades, public health agencies and public schools have worked hand in glove, sharing health information about students in order to better understand the broader picture of teens’ overall health. In addition, schools have increasingly sought to give their students more and better health services. Seeing as schools may keep or request sensitive health information from the students or parents, it’s natural to wonder what laws cover the security and privacy of these documents. These days, there are two major privacy laws – HIPAA and FERPA – that may or may not cover a student’s health records. Naturally, whether they do or don’t depends on your particular situation. That said, this article will attempt to wade the convoluted mire, illuminating you as to the differences between HIPAA vs FERPA. Keep reading to discover more!
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Do Dispensaries Share Information With The Government?
Ever since California passed Proposition 64, legalizing recreational marijuana, the market has grown rapidly. More dispensaries and farmers are entering the industry, contributing to what Statista forecasts as a steady increase in sales, from $5.62 billion in 2020 to an estimated $6.59 billion by 2025. California’s projected sales account for a large portion of the national growth, which is expected to reach $8.22 billion in 2020. Despite entering the market later than states like Washington, Oregon, and Colorado, California has already surpassed them in annual sales with data privacy protection .
With a robust medical marijuana market and a rapidly expanding recreational market, many customers are now asking: “Do dispensaries share my personal information with the government?” Understanding data privacy in the legal cannabis industry has never been more important.