HIPAA

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, passed in 1996, was designed to establish national standards for protecting confidential patient medical data. In addition, the law also provides the medical community with a framework to compile and share medical data in the interest of public health and improve medical care in the U.S., all while protecting the privacy of patients.

Most patients know HIPAA means their personal information and sensitive medical records are safe. When things are going well, that’s all patients ever need to know. HIPAA, however, means quite a bit more for the medical profession. Hospitals, doctors’ offices, medical facilities – basically any place that keeps and maintains patient information – must follow the regulations to the letter. One tiny mistake could cost the facility thousands of dollars and, in some cases, end up in jail time for violators.

This is why it’s crucial for medical facilities to understand HIPAA regulations, violations, and compliance when it comes to technology.

Regulations

Technology plays a large part in HIPAA regulations. Leaving passwords on a sticky note on your monitor, or emailing files from your personal email account are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to these regulations. Your medical facility needs a trusted managed services provider that is well versed in the intricacies of HIPAA regulations and can also help your practice or facility by teaching everyone those rules and guidelines.

Violations

Today, HIPAA rules are firmer, and violation penalties are more severe. Not only can you get fined, but you could also get up to 10 years of jail time for the most severe infractions. Obviously, HIPAA violations are not something you want to take lightly. As they become more stringent, it is important to learn not only how to avoid violations, but to know the types of violations.

Compliance

HIPAA compliance keeps patient’s sensitive information and records safe, but it can cause headaches for those in the medical profession. The rules and regulations for compliance are quite lengthy. This is why those in the medical field are constantly looking for ways to improve security, or best practices, when it comes to compliance. That’s why we offer Compliance as a Service (CaaS).