Almost 30 years ago, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act went into effect. This federal law was designed to protect people’s health insurance coverage as well as their privacy and sensitive information. All businesses that handle protected information must follow HIPAA regulations. Failing to comply with them can lead to serious repercussions for the offending businesses as well as their patients and clients.
With that being the case, maintaining compliance is crucial for hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and other businesses that deal with people’s sensitive health information. Adhering to HIPAA guidelines can be complicated, but certain steps can make it simpler, such as thorough training and being sure to fax important healthcare documents rather than using less secure methods of transmission. Consider some of the measures businesses can take to remain HIPAA compliant.
Be Aware of HIPAA Regulations
First of all, businesses need to fully understand what HIPAA covers and how it applies to them. As mentioned, this law applies to people’s health information, which includes any details that identify patients, indicate their health statuses, or pertain to their healthcare services. That can be anything from their names and birthdates to medical records and billing information. Employees of businesses that are held to HIPAA standards must be trained to recognize what is considered protected health information and how to handle it properly.
Limit Access to Sensitive Information
Secondly, per HIPAA requirements, businesses must limit access to sensitive information. In many cases, not all employees need access to patients’ health records and other data. HIPAA mandates that businesses limit their access to PHI to only the details that are absolutely necessary. It also requires companies to limit the employees who can see sensitive information to only those truly need it to do their jobs.
As such, businesses need to use role-based access control measures to protect ePHI. They also need to keep sensitive paperwork securely locked away. HIPAA regulations likewise require sensitive information to be kept well out of public sight to prevent non-employees from seeing it.
Use Secure Communication Methods
Businesses need to use secure communication methods to remain HIPAA compliant as well. When sharing PHI, they shouldn’t use unsecured methods, such as email or text. If documents containing sensitive information need to be sent electronically, businesses should use encrypted email services or other approved options. Fax is one of the most widely used methods of communication among companies that handle protected information because of its security. Still, it’s important to use HIPAA-compliant fax services that fall within the law’s privacy and security requirements.
Keep Systems and Software Up to Date
Additionally, businesses that handle PHI need to keep their systems and software up to date. Those that are out of date can leave companies vulnerable to hackers. Regular updates prevent holes in businesses’ security that wrongdoers can possibly use to gain access. Conducting routine risk assessments to identify weak points in their systems and implementing solid plans for dealing with breaches are equally crucial.
Protecting Businesses and Patients
Remaining compliant with HIPAA regulations is essential for businesses that handle protected health information. Ensuring compliance can be challenging, but the measures mentioned here will eliminate many of the risks. They can help businesses protect themselves against legal issues and other consequences of non-compliance. They’ll also safeguard patients against having their sensitive information exposed and exploited.
