HIPAA / Healthcare Industry

While general HIPAA Privacy standards continue to evolve with periodic updates, one requirement that has remained consistent is the obligation for healthcare providers to provide patients with a Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP).

The NPP informs patients of their rights and explains how their protected health information (PHI) is collected, used, and disclosed. It also outlines an organization’s responsibilities under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, helping patients understand how their data is safeguarded and what actions they can take if they believe their rights have been violated.

Safeguarding electronic health records (EHRs) is a top priority for healthcare organizations and their business associates. Since EHRs contain sensitive protected health information (PHI), strict adherence to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is required. Implementing HIPAA-compliant security controls helps prevent data breaches, protect patient privacy, and reduce the risk of costly enforcement actions. This guide explores how organizations can secure electronic health records while maintaining full HIPAA compliance.

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Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the protected health information (PHI) of patients needs to be secured at all times. This includes personal information, such as names, birthdays, medical conditions, treatments, account numbers, Social Security numbers, and tech-related information (e.g., IP addresses, device serial numbers). However, deidentified patient data is exempt from this rule.

A fundamental priority for organizations within and adjacent to the healthcare industry is safeguarding protected health information (PHI) from unauthorized access or exposure. To remain compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), organizations must implement a wide range of administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.

By following a list of recommended HIPAA controls, organizations can strengthen their security posture, simplify compliance efforts, and reduce the risk of costly breaches or penalties. Read on to learn more.

The healthcare industry faces unique security and privacy challenges due to the constant exchange of sensitive patient data. Meeting compliance requirements for regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC 2 can be complex — especially while staying competitive in the marketplace. Healthcare auditing through HITRUST assessments helps organizations simplify compliance, strengthen data protection, and demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding protected health information (PHI).

HIPAA is the leading regulatory framework that governs how healthcare organizations use, store, and transmit confidential patient information. Nearly every entity connected to the healthcare industry, whether directly providing care or supporting operations, must comply with HIPAA guidelines for healthcare professionals. However, navigating the complex rules and requirements of HIPAA can be challenging for both small practices and large enterprises, making expert guidance essential.

Healthcare providers are among the greatest beneficiaries of modern IT advancements, and cloud technologies are no exception. HIPAA-compliant cloud storage allows for fast, secure access to patient data, enabling timely medical evaluations and treatment decisions. However, under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the use and storage of protected health information (PHI) must follow strict security and privacy rules. Without the right safeguards in place, cloud storage can expose organizations to compliance risks. So, how can healthcare organizations maintain HIPAA-compliant cloud storage effectively?

Organizations within and adjacent to the healthcare industry must comply with HIPAA regarding their interactions involving protected health information (PHI). The HIPAA Security Rule outlines safeguards for patient data security risk management to help healthcare organizations minimize risk to PHI. Managing risks to PHI security is of the utmost importance and can help your organization mitigate data breaches. Read on to learn how. 

According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), two groups are primarily responsible for maintaining HIPAA compliance. Covered entities are the most readily assumed, but another, known as business associates, also interact with electronic health records (EHR) and protected health information (PHI). These organizations must be contracted via a HIPAA business associate agreement and are held to stringent standards of confidentiality and professionalism.

Given the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) extensive protections and restrictions regarding electronic protected health information (ePHI), cell phones present a challenging grey area to navigate. However, implementing a HIPAA-compliant cell phone policy and appropriate security controls will help your healthcare organization properly adhere to regulations.