Top 5 Signs You’re Out of HIPAA Compliance
HIPAA compliance refers to a set of regulations by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act which sets the guidelines designed to protect important medical documents. Similar to constant technology updates, there are continual changes regarding HIPAA regulations. If you have any follow up questions or concerns in regards to HIPAA compliance, check out this handy checklist for protecting the privacy of personal health information. Here is a quick overview to check to see if you are currently out of HIPAA compliance.
Access Control
Have you assigned a unique name or number for identifying and tracking user identity? You should establish procedures that will help you obtain protected health information in case of an emergency. By implementing software that encrypts and decrypts electronic health information, you are ensuring clients’ protection.
Audit Controls
If you have not implemented tracking software that records and examines activity in information systems, which is the set of information resources that share the same common functionality, then you are not properly protecting electronic health information.
Person or Entity Authentication
Do you have procedures that will confirm a person or entity who is seeking access to protected health information? Have you established policies and procedures that safeguard electronic health information from improper alteration or destruction? Be sure to implement appropriate security measures to guard against unauthorized access to electronic protected health information to ensure that documents are not modified without detection or improperly disposed of.
Transmission Security
Are you able to implement software to encrypt electronic health information whenever deemed appropriate? This will encompass all of the administrative, physical, and technical safeguards in your information systems.
Failure to follow HIPAA compliance can result in civil and criminal penalties. Make sure you are following the law and properly protecting the health information of individuals. If you are feeling lost, we will be able to help you get back on track. Call Cognoscape today for a free consultation.
