If you operate or work for a medical practice, hospital, or a similar healthcare organization, then you likely know how important HIPAA is. Yet is your business in compliance with HIPAA?
Short for the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA was developed in 1996 by the federal government to provide regulations for healthcare data management. These regulations are related to:
- Patients’ right to privacy
- Security controls to protect private patient data
- The steps healthcare organizations must take if a breach of patient data occurs.
The Four Main HIPAA Rules
HIPAA’s four main rules are:
- The HIPAA Privacy Rule, which establishes a patient’s right to private and privacy information. The Private Rule details what electronic personal health information is (ePHI), how to protect this information, and how to transmit and store ePHI.
- The HIPAA Security Rule, which establishes standards for the technology, devices, and other components needed to protect ePHI data. These include standards for administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.
- The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule, which states what should happen if a data breach occurs. This rule is part of HIPAA because it’s nearly impossible to protect all data, all the time. Healthcare organizations can use the Breach Notification to help guide them on what to do if a data breach occurs.
- The HIPAA Omnibus Rule, which expands the reach of HIPAA regulations to contractors used by the healthcare organization.
There are both civil and criminal violations for non-HIPAA compliance. A small civil violation may cost just $100, but a willful violation done on a large scale can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and include jail time.
HIPAA compliance can get tricky, quickly. Working with an IT firm that can help guide you through HIPAA can make the difference between staying in compliance or running the risk of violations.
How Futra Can Help You With HIPAA Compliance
At Futra Solutions, our seasoned IT experts can help your medical practice follow HIPAA’s rules effectively. Find us online at MyFutra.com, or call us at 941-254-6900 for more information on HIPAA compliance.
