If you work in a medical office or clinic, then chances are, you’ve heard HIPAA stressed over and over again. But you may be wondering “what is HIPAA compliance?” Recently, as the digital age continues, we have seen an uptick in HIPAA violations and misunderstandings leading to fines, penalties, and a strained relationship between the patient and their healthcare provider.
Because medical clinics deal with such personal and private information, HIPAA is extremely critical to ensure that the patient’s data remains secure and private. In this article, we will detail the ins and outs of HIPAA and provide 5 tips to ensure compliance.
What is HIPAA Compliance?
What exactly is HIPAA Compliance? The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a United States federal law that was designed to protect health information, establish national standards for protecting certain medical records, and makes sure patients have access to their own health records.
HIPAA ensures that medical offices and clinics remain compliant with security standards as they handle personal health information. Violations can result in hefty fines, so it’s important to make sure your office is following the rules and regulations set forth by HIPAA.
5 Tips for HIPAA Compliance
1. Hire a HIPAA-trained IT Provider
HIPAA is complicated and you need professionals on your side. Make sure you work with a trusted IT provider who is familiar with and trained in HIPAA compliance. This is a great way to ensure that your IT system, hardware, and software are compliant with all regulations set forth by HIPAA.
2. Train Your Employees Regularly
Your employees should receive regular training on the basics of HIPAA, such as understanding the various rules and regulations, knowing when and where PHI can be shared, and how to handle patient requests for their health information. The more educated they are about HIPAA compliance, the better chance they have of avoiding violations or fines.
3. Make Sure Your Backups Are Compliant
When it comes to backing up data, it’s important that you are in accordance with all HIPAA regulations. This includes both physical backups (such as USB drives, CDs, and external hard drives) and digital backups (such as cloud-based storage).
4. Ensure Your Technology is Compliant
You need to ensure that all technology solutions you use are compliant with HIPAA requirements. This includes email systems, phone systems, etc. All of these need to be configured in a way that meets the necessary security standards set forth by HIPAA.
5. Ask Questions and Seek Clarification
When you have any questions or doubts about HIPAA compliance, always turn to your IT provider for clarification. They should be able to provide informative answers and help guide you in making sure your office remains HIPAA compliant at all times.
INSC as Your Ideal HIPAA Partner
By following the 5 tips above, you can ensure that your medical office or clinic remains HIPAA compliant at all times. But you don’t have to do it alone.
At INSC, we understand how critical it is to remain compliant with HIPAA regulations. We have years of experience helping medical offices and clinics become, and stay, compliant. Our team will provide the necessary guidance, training, and security measures you need to make sure your office remains in compliance at all times.
Reach out today for more information about our offerings.