What is HIPAA compliance? HIPAA, which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a set of regulations that were put into place in 1996 to protect the privacy and security of patients’ protected health information (PHI). The HIPAA Security Rule specifically sets forth standards for protecting electronic PHI. These regulations apply to “covered entities” – healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses – as well as their business associates. In this article, we will discuss the importance of HIPAA compliance and what steps your business can take to ensure compliance.
Protection Against PHI Loss
One of the most important benefits of HIPAA compliance is the protection it affords against the loss of PHI. If a covered entity experiences a data breach, HIPAA’s Breach Notification Rule requires them to notify affected individuals and, in some cases, the media. This notification must take place within 60 days of the discovery of the breach. As seen with an employee training course, compliance with HIPAA’s regulations can help to prevent data breaches from occurring in the first place. The Breach Notification Rule has led to increased awareness of the importance of protecting PHI and has spurred the development of better security practices. If your business associates with a covered entity, you are also obligated to notify them of any data breaches.
Increased Awareness of Patient Well-being
Another important benefit of HIPAA compliance is the increased awareness of patient well-being it fosters. The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires covered entities to provide patients with a Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP), which outlines how their PHI may be used and disclosed. This notice must be made available to patients upon request. The NPP must also be prominently displayed in a waiting room or other common area. The increased transparency afforded by the NPP helps to ensure that patients are aware of how their PHI is being used and that their rights are being protected. Your employees should also be trained on the NPP and how to implement it.
A Development of Patient Safety Culture
The third benefit of HIPAA compliance is the development of a patient safety culture. The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities to implement physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect PHI from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These safeguards help to ensure that PHI is only accessed by authorized individuals and that it is used for its intended purpose. The implementation of these safeguards helps to create a culture of safety and security within a healthcare organization. They also help to prevent data breaches and other unauthorized uses of PHI. If your business is a business associate of a covered entity, you are also required to implement these safeguards.
A Greater Satisfaction Score from Families and Patients Alike
The fourth benefit of HIPAA compliance is the greater satisfaction score it receives from families and patients alike. A recent study found that patients who were treated at HIPAA-compliant hospitals were more likely to report high levels of satisfaction with their care than those who were treated at non-compliant hospitals. The same study also found that families of patients who were treated at HIPAA-compliant hospitals were more likely to report high levels of satisfaction with the care their loved ones received. They also felt that their privacy was more respected at HIPAA-compliant hospitals. Most importantly, they felt that their loved ones were more likely to receive the best possible care at HIPAA-compliant hospitals.
A Reduction in Liability for Your Organization and Executives
Finally, HIPAA compliance can lead to a reduction in liability for your organization and its executives. In the event of a data breach, covered entities and their business associates are held liable for any PHI that is disclosed without authorization. This liability can be reduced if it can be shown that the covered entity or business associate took reasonable steps to protect the PHI. HIPAA compliance is an important part of protecting your organization from liability. If your business associates with a covered entity, you should ensure that they are compliant with HIPAA. In most cases, it is best to have a written agreement in place that requires them to comply with HIPAA. This agreement should be reviewed regularly to ensure that they are still in compliance. If you are found to violate HIPAA, you could be subject to civil and criminal penalties. These penalties can include fines, imprisonment, and exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid.
In Conclusion
The importance of HIPAA compliance should not be underestimated. HIPAA compliance is important for many reasons, including the protection of PHI, the promotion of patient safety, the satisfaction of families and patients, and the reduction of liability for organizations and their executives. If you are a covered entity or business associate, you should take steps to ensure that you comply with HIPAA. You should also review your compliance regularly to ensure that you are still in compliance. If you are found to violate HIPAA, you could be subject to civil and criminal penalties. These penalties can include fines, imprisonment, and exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid.
