HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a law that protects your health information. It has strict requirements to ensure the privacy and security of your personal data.
One of the most important steps towards compliance is ensuring employees are trained to handle your Protected Health Information (PHI). This requires the implementation of training programs and continuous employee development.
What is HIPAA?
HIPAA is a set of federal laws that govern the privacy, security and transactions of health information. They were originally introduced in 1996, then augmented by updates such as the 2009 HITECH Act.
The law aims to streamline the administrative processes of the healthcare industry while also protecting patient privacy and increasing efficiency. It also protects healthcare workers from losing their health insurance if they lose their jobs.
Despite the benefits, HIPAA rules can be complex and challenging to comply with. The key is to start early and educate yourself on the basics.
PHI Is Important To Healthcare Organizations
Protected Health Information (PHI) is the term used to describe the regulated information pertaining to patients. This includes medical records, insurance claims and other sensitive data.
PHI is important to healthcare organizations because it can help them provide better patient care. However, it can also be a target for cybercriminals, who may steal it and use it to commit identity theft or ransomware attacks.
This is why it’s crucial for everyone working in the healthcare industry to understand what PHI is and how to handle it properly. If you do, it’ll help you avoid accidentally revealing confidential information to people outside of your organization.
Who Is A Covered Entity?
A covered entity under HIPAA is any health plan, health care clearinghouse, or healthcare provider that communicates Protected Health Information (PHI) in electronic form.
Covered entities must comply with the Rules’ requirements to protect the privacy and security of PHI. If they engage a Business Associate, they must have a written business associate contract or other arrangement with the Business Associate that establishes specifically what services they are providing and requires the Business Associate to comply with the Rules’ requirements to protect the health information they receive.
Covered entities often use a questionnaire when evaluating Business Associates to stratify them into risk categories and determine their level of diligence. They then call in subject matter experts to work with the Business Associate to make sure they meet the requirements of the Covered Entity’s BAA.
Who is a Business Associate?
Health care providers and health plans (referred to as Covered Entities) often contract with third parties to perform various functions or services on their behalf. They may use business associates to handle things like human resources, shipping, and logistics.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) defines a business associate as any person or entity that engages in the use of or discloses protected health information on behalf of a Covered Entity. These business associates have specific obligations under HIPAA to protect PHI and must enter into contracts that limit their access and disclosure of patient information.
What is the HIPAA Privacy Rule?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule, also known as the Right to Access Rule, was enacted as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law provides individuals with rights to their protected health information. This includes the ability to request a copy of their records.
Individuals can also request a change to their PHI. They can also ask to have their PHI transferred to a different provider or organization. However, there are some types of PHI that are not covered by the right of access initiative. This type of information may include data that is used for legal proceedings or research studies.
Protect Patient Health Information
The HIPAA Security Rule is a set of administrative, physical and technical safeguards that healthcare organizations must implement to protect patient health information. These safeguards are designed to be flexible and scalable for each organization, while still being technology-neutral.
The administrative safeguards require CEs and BAs to perform risk assessments, develop security policies and procedures, appoint a privacy officer, and have a process for responding to data breaches. The rule also requires that organizations limit access to ePHI and implement measures to prevent unauthorized disclosure of confidential PHI.
What is the HIPAA Enforcement Rule?
The HIPAA Enforcement Rule is a set of provisions that outline compliance and investigation procedures. It also sets forth the processes for imposing civil money penalties on entities that violate any HIPAA rules, and for determining the amount of those penalties.
The enforcement rule applies to all Covered Entities that electronically transmit PHI in connection with transactions that HHS has adopted standards for. These include health plans, health care clearinghouses and medical providers.