HIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
What you need to know
It is a federal law passed by the United States Congress in 1996 that is designed to protect the privacy and security of personal health information (PHI).
HIPAA applies to healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare covered entities as well as their business associates who perform functions that involve the use or disclosure of PHI.
Some of the key provisions of HIPAA include:
The Privacy Rule: Sets standards for the use and disclosure of PHI, including the requirement to obtain an individual's written authorization before using or disclosing their PHI.
The Security Rule: Requires organizations to implement technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect the confidentiality of electronic PHI (ePHI).
The Breach Notification Rule: Requires covered entities to provide notification to affected individuals, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and, in some cases, the media, in the event of a breach of unsecured PHI.
The Enforcement Rule: Establishes procedures for investigating complaints and imposing civil monetary penalties for HIPAA violations.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule gives individuals the right to access their own health information, including medical records and billing information?
The HIPAA Security Rule requires entities to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI?
The HIPAA Breach Notification Rule requires entities to notify affected individuals, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and, in some cases, the media, in the event of a breach of unsecured PHI?
The HIPAA Enforcement Rule establishes procedures for investigating complaints and imposing civil monetary penalties for HIPAA violations? Up to a maximum level of USD $25,000 per violation category, per calendar year.
Key Benefits of comforte’s HIPAA Compliance Services
The comforte Data Security Platform provides data discovery, classification and protection capabilities to help you:
FAQs on HIPAA Compliance Services
What does HIPAA stand for?
HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a significant piece of U.S. legislation that was enacted in 1996 to protect the privacy and security of individuals' health information.
Who does HIPAA apply to?
HIPAA primarily applies to covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses that electronically transmit health information. Additionally, it applies to business associates who handle health information on behalf of covered entities.
What kind of data is covered by HIPAA?
The types of data covered by HIPAA include Protected Health Information (PHI), which comprises any individually identifiable health information related to an individual's past, present, or future physical or mental health, healthcare services received, or payment for healthcare services.
Why comply with HIPAA?
Complying with HIPAA is of utmost importance for covered entities and business associates. Non-compliance can result in severe consequences, such as substantial fines and civil or criminal penalties. Moreover, failing to protect PHI can lead to breaches of patient confidentiality and erode trust in healthcare organizations.
How to be HIPAA compliant?
To achieve HIPAA compliance, covered entities and business associates must implement a range of measures. This includes adopting administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect PHI from unauthorized access or disclosure. Conducting regular risk assessments, implementing workforce training programs, and maintaining comprehensive privacy policies and procedures are also essential elements of HIPAA compliance.
What is the difference between GDPR and HIPAA Compliance Services?
Furthermore, HIPAA primarily addresses health information privacy and security, whereas GDPR covers a wider range of data protection principles, including individual rights, data transfer, and the appointment of Data Protection Officers. Businesses operating in both the U.S. and the EU or handling data from both regions must ensure compliance with the specific regulations that apply to their data processing activities, seeking legal counsel or expert advice as needed to navigate the complexities of dual compliance.
Next steps
If you would like to learn more about our HIPAA compliance services, please feel free to get in touch with our experts who would be happy to discuss solutions.
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