HIPAA / Healthcare Industry

Among healthcare professionals and auxiliary providers, HIPAA compliance maintains the privacy and security of patient information. And by limiting the amount of patient information that individuals and organizations access, industry enforcement agencies can better protect patient privacy. The foundation for patient data safeguarding lies in the HIPAA minimum necessary rule.

What is the HIPAA Minimum Necessary Rule?

Among authorized agencies that interact with protected health information (PHI), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) moderates the frequency and scope with which patient data travels across multiple systems. The more that a patient’s personal and medical information move around, the greater the risks of lost or stolen data.

The US healthcare industry is one of the most attractive targets for cybercrime worldwide. Any attack, like the recent ransomware strike on Universal Health Services, can freeze hundreds of providers and impact millions of patients. Complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is the first step you can take to avoid potentially crippling attacks, and understanding the HIPAA security rule is a key part of achieving compliance.

What Is Considered PHI (Protected Health Information)?

When you walk into any hospital or private doctor’s office, you’re immediately bombarded by a list of questions. These range from personal questions about your lifestyle and medical history to private questions about your address, insurance, and other information you don’t want to be disclosed. You’d hope, being that there’s a notion of doctor-patient confidentiality, that all this information is handed over in confidence.

And it is. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), all this information constitutes protected health information (PHI). The release of vital patient details breaks HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rules — thus inciting fees and penalties for the healthcare entity.

Some questions to consider when reading ahead: How was this system set up? What is protected health information? And how can healthcare organizations and their business associates offer their patients security and avoid penalties under HIPAA?

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 FERPA vs. HIPAA. Keep reading to discover more! 

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.