Author Archives: Ian

Understanding & Applying Risk Assessments

Posted by Ian

The consequences of inadequate risk assessment are severe—and escalating. This guide addresses the compliance officer’s dilemma, detailing how healthcare organizations can transform the risk assessment process from on-paper exercises to structured protection with measurable outcomes for organizational peace of mind. It was informed by in-depth interviews with industry figures and supporting data from other thought leaders in this space.

What is a HIPAA risk assessment?

A  assesses threats to the privacy and security of PHI, the likelihood of a threat occurring, and the potential impact of each threat so it is possible to determine whether existing policies, procedures, and security mechanisms are adequate to reduce risks and vulnerabilities to a reasonable and appropriate level.

The requirements for covered entities and business associates to conduct a HIPAA risk assessment appear twice in the Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. However, it may be necessary for organizations to conduct risk assessments beyond these requirements.

The first requirement to conduct a HIPAA risk assessment appears in the HIPAA Security Rule (45 CFR § 164.308 – Security Management Process). This standard requires covered entities and business associates to conduct an “accurate and thorough assessment of the potential risks and vulnerabilities to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of ePHI”.

The second requirement appears in the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule (45 CFR § 164.402). This standard only applies when there has been an impermissible acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of unsecured PHI (in any format), and a HIPAA risk assessment is necessary to determine whether the event is notifiable to HHS and the affected individual(s).

However, beyond the HIPAA risk assessment requirements of the HIPAA Security and Breach Notification Rules, risks exist to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI when it is not in electronic format – for example, when unauthorized disclosures are made verbally or when a printed medical report is left unattended in an area of public access.

Because of these risks, it may be necessary to conduct a HIPAA privacy risk assessment which not only takes into account risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of non-electronic PHI, but which also covers individuals’ access rights (to their PHI), Business Associate Agreements, and other Organizational Requirements of HIPAA.

HIPAA Security Risk Assessment

The objective of a HIPAA security risk assessment is outlined in the General Rules (CFR 45 § 164.306) that precede the Administrative, Physical, and Technical Safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule. These are to:

  • Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all electronic PHI the covered entity or business associate creates, receives, maintains, or transmits.
  • Protect against any reasonably anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information.
  • Protect against any reasonably anticipated uses or disclosures of such information that are not permitted or required under subpart E of this part (the HIPAA Privacy Rule).
  • Ensure compliance with this subpart (the HIPAA Security Rule) by its workforce. Note: This is achieved via training and the enforcement of a sanctions policy.

With regards to the Administrative, Physical, and Technical Safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule, the General Rules allow a “flexibility of approach” in how the standards are implemented. Despite the flexibility of approach clause, it is important that all standards are implemented unless an implementation specification is not “reasonable and appropriate” and an equivalent alternate measure is implemented in its place. The full list of Administrative, Physical, and Technical implementation specifications is:

Standards Sections Implementation Specifications

(R)=Required, (A)=Addressable

 Implementation Commentary
Security Management Process 164.308(a)(1) Risk Analysis (R), Risk Management (R), Sanction Policy (R), Information System Activity Review (R) Organizations should perform a comprehensive risk analysis to identify potential vulnerabilities to ePHI. Develop and document a risk management strategy that prioritizes remediation activities. Enforce a sanction policy for employees who fail to comply with security policies, and implement tools for reviewing system activity regularly to detect any unauthorized access.
Assigned Security Responsibility 164.308(a)(2) (R) Assign a senior-level individual (such as a CISO or Privacy Officer) to be responsible for ensuring the implementation and oversight of security policies and procedures across the organization. This individual should have authority and resources to enforce HIPAA compliance.
Workforce Security 164.308(a)(3) Authorization and/or Supervision (A), Workforce Clearance Procedure (A), Termination Procedures (A) Establish and document procedures for supervising workforce members who access ePHI. Screen employees before granting access, and ensure prompt deactivation of accounts and access upon termination or role change to prevent unauthorized access.
Information Access Management 164.308(a)(4) Isolating Health Care Clearinghouse Function (R), Access Authorization (A), Access Establishment and Modification (A) Create controls to isolate systems that manage ePHI, especially if a healthcare clearinghouse is part of a larger organization. Define procedures for granting, modifying, and removing user access based on job roles. Access should be reviewed periodically and updated accordingly.
Security Awareness and Training 164.308(a)(5) Security Reminders (A), Protection from Malicious Software (A), Log-in Monitoring (A), Password Management (A) Develop a formal training program that includes regular security updates, awareness of phishing and malware threats, instructions for recognizing suspicious activities, and best practices for password management. Training should be documented and mandatory for all employees.
Security Incident Procedures 164.308(a)(6) Response and Reporting (R) Develop and maintain a written incident response plan that defines how to detect, report, and respond to security incidents. Train staff on recognizing incidents, and test the plan through simulated exercises to improve readiness.
Contingency Plan 164.308(a)(7) Data Backup Plan (R), Disaster Recovery Plan (R), Emergency Mode Operation Plan (R), Testing and Revision Procedure (A), Applications and Data Criticality Analysis (A) Implement a robust contingency planning framework that includes regular data backups, disaster recovery procedures, and emergency mode operations to ensure continuity of care. Conduct periodic testing and revise plans based on outcomes. Assess and prioritize data and application criticality to focus recovery efforts effectively.
Evaluation 164.308(a)(8) (R) Regularly evaluate your security program’s effectiveness through audits, risk assessments, and policy reviews. Document evaluation results and implement improvements as needed to address any weaknesses or evolving threats.
Business Associate Contracts 164.308(b)(1) Written Contract or Other Arrangement (R) Enter into Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with all vendors who handle ePHI on your behalf. Ensure these agreements outline security responsibilities and establish that the associate is subject to HIPAA rules.
Facility Access Controls 164.310(a)(1) Contingency Operations (A), Facility Security Plan (A), Access Control and Validation Procedures (A), Maintenance Records (A) Implement procedures to control physical access to facilities where ePHI is stored. This includes locking doors, using ID badges, and ensuring that emergency access is planned. Document maintenance activities and control how visitors and staff are validated before entering sensitive areas.
Workstation Use 164.310(b) (R) Define appropriate uses of workstations that access ePHI. Restrict the use of unauthorized software and internet access, and place workstations in secure locations where unauthorized individuals cannot view screen content.
Workstation Security 164.310(c) (R) Physically secure workstations by using cable locks, locking office doors, and ensuring terminals are not left unattended when logged in. This helps prevent unauthorized access or tampering.
Device and Media Controls 164.310(d)(1) Disposal (R), Media re-use (R), Accountability (A), Data Backup and Storage (A) Develop policies for securely disposing of media containing ePHI, such as shredding paper records or wiping hard drives. Maintain a media tracking system to ensure accountability and store backups securely offsite or in the cloud.
Access Control 164.312(a)(1) Unique User Identification (R), Emergency Access Procedure (R), Automatic Logoff (A), Encryption and Decryption (A) Assign unique user IDs for tracking access to systems containing ePHI. Ensure emergency access is available when needed. Set automatic logoff policies to reduce risk from unattended terminals, and encrypt data both at rest and in motion where appropriate.
Audit Controls 164.312(b) (R) Use software tools that track and log all access to ePHI, including login attempts, file accesses, and modifications. Regularly audit these logs to identify unusual activity and respond to potential breaches.
Integrity 164.312(c)(1) Mechanism to Authenticate Electronic Protected Health Information (A) Use checksums, digital signatures, or similar tools to ensure that ePHI has not been altered or destroyed in an unauthorized manner. Validate these mechanisms regularly to ensure reliability and security.
Person or Entity Authentication 164.312(d) (R) Ensure users authenticate themselves before accessing ePHI using secure methods such as strong passwords, biometric verification, or multi-factor authentication. Regularly update and review authentication policies.
Transmission Security 164.312(e)(1) Integrity Controls (A), Encryption (A) Encrypt data transmissions such as emails or data sent via APIs to protect ePHI from interception. Implement integrity controls like message authentication codes to ensure that data is not altered during transmission.

 

The final section of the HIPAA Security Rule covers Business Associate Agreements and other Organizational Requirements. This section requires covered entities to ensure their Business Associate Agreements require business associate to comply with the HIPAA Security Rule and report any security incidents (not just data breaches) to the covered entity. With regards to the Organization Requirements, the standard in 45 CFR § 164.314 applies to group health plans; but all covered entities in hybrid, affiliated, or OHCA arrangements should review the content of this standard as well.

HIPAA Breach Risk Assessment

The second “required” HIPAA risk assessment is actually optional inasmuch as the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule states any that impermissible acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of PHI is presumed to be a breach unless a low probability of compromise can be demonstrated via a risk assessment that takes at least the following factors into account:

  • The nature and extent of breached PHI including the types of identifiers and the likelihood of reidentification,
  • The unauthorized person (if known) who acquired, accessed, or used the breached PHI or to whom an impermissible disclosure was made,
  • Whether PHI was actually acquired or viewed (read HHS’ guidance on ransomware to establish what constitutes “acquired or viewed” in cyberattacks),
  • The extent to which the risk to PHI has been mitigated.

The reason for the HIPAA breach risk assessment being described as optional is that covered entities and business associates could – if they wish – skip this HIPAA assessment and notify every impermissible acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of PHI. The drawback to this approach is that it may result in business disruption if HHS’ Office for Civil Rights feels your organization is experiencing an above-average number of data breaches and decides to conduct a compliance review.

It can also cause a loss of trust from individuals served by the organization if patients and plan members are receiving frequent breach notifications – especially if they are advised to take measures to protect themselves against fraud, theft, and loss unnecessarily because “breached” PHI has not actually been acquired or viewed. Although “optional”, it can be a good idea to conduct a HIPAA breach risk assessment to prevent unavoidable notifications.

HIPAA Risk Assessment Workflow- the hipaajournal.com

HIPAA Privacy Risk Assessment

Due to the requirement to conduct risk assessments being in the HIPAA Security Rule, many covered entities and business associates overlook the necessity to conduct a HIPAA privacy risk assessment. A HIPAA privacy risk assessment is equally as important as a security risk assessment but can be a much larger undertaking depending on the size of the organization and the nature of its business.

In order to complete a HIPAA privacy risk assessment, an organization should appoint a Privacy Officer, whose first task it is to identify organizational workflows and get a “big picture” view of how the requirements of HIPAA Privacy Rule impact the organization´s operations. Thereafter the Privacy Officer needs to map the flow of PHI both internally and externally in order to conduct a gap analysis to identify where breaches may occur.

The final stage of a HIPAA privacy risk assessment should be the development and implementation of a HIPAA privacy compliance program. The program should include policies to address the risks to PHI identified in the HIPAA privacy assessment and should be reviewed as new work practices are implemented or new technology is deployed.

As required by 45 CFR § 164.530, it is essential employees are trained on any policies and procedures developed as a result of a HIPAA privacy risk assessment and when material changes to policies and procedures impact employees’ functions. Although covered entities and business associates may comply with this requirement “to tick the box”, better trained staff make fewer HIPAA errors, so training on HIPAA policies and procedures should be embraced as a risk mitigation strategy.

Not Identifying Risks Can be Costly

The severity of fines for non-compliance with HIPAA has historically depended on the number of patients affected by a breach of PHI and the level of negligence involved. Few fines are now issued in the lowest “Did Not Know” HIPAA violation category, because there is little excuse for not knowing a legal requirement exists to protect PHI.

More recently, the majority of fines have been under the “Willful Neglect” HIPAA violation category, where organizations knew – or should have known – they had a responsibility to safeguard PHI. Many of the largest fines – including the $5.5 million fine issued against the Advocate Health Care Network – are attributable to organizations failing to identify where risks to the integrity of PHI exist.

However, since the start of the second round of HIPAA audits, fines have also been issued for potential breaches of PHI. These are where flaws in an organization´s security have not been uncovered by a HIPAA risk assessment, or where no assessment has been conducted at all. In March 2016, North Memorial Health Care of Minnesota paid more than $1.5 million to settle related HIPAA violation charges.

It’s Not Just Large Organizations in the Firing Line

Although the majority of headlines relating to HIPAA violations concern large medical organizations and large fines for non-compliance, there are very many small medical practices also investigated by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or subject to HIPAA audits. Since 2003, OCR has received more than 300,000 reports of alleged HIPAA violations. Less than 2% of these relate to data breaches involving 500 individuals or more.

A significant problem for small and medium sized medical practices is that not all insurance carriers cover the cost of a HIPAA breach. The cost of a HIPAA breach not only includes the fine, but also the cost of hiring IT specialists to investigate the breach, the cost of repairing public confidence, and the cost of providing credit monitoring services for individuals. Insurers may also limit their coverage according to the nature of the HIPAA violation and the level of negligence.

Without insurance coverage, the cost of a HIPAA breach could potentially close a small medical practice. However, this scenario can be mitigated by conducting a HIPAA risk assessment and implementing measures to resolve any uncovered issues. An assessment can be complicated and time-consuming, but the alternative is potentially terminal to small medical practices and their business associates.

Business Associates Must Be Included

Every covered entity that creates, receives, maintains, or transmits PHI has to conduct an accurate and thorough HIPAA risk assessment in order to comply with the Security Management requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule. This condition of HIPAA compliance not only applies to medical facilities and health plans. Business associates, subcontractors, and vendors must also conduct a HIPAA security risk assessment. Similar to covered entities, fines for non-compliance can be issued by OCR against business associates for potential breaches of PHI.

OCR treats these risks seriously. In December 2014, the agency revealed that 40% of all HIPAA breaches involving an exposure of more than 500 patient records are attributable to the negligence of business associates. In June 2016, it issued its first fine against a business associate – the Catholic Health Care Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia agreeing to pay $650,000 following a breach of 450 records. The non-profit organization had failed to conduct a HIPAA risk assessment since 2013.

More recently, the proportion of data breaches attributable to a lack of compliance by business associates may appear to have reduced, but this is not necessarily the case. Under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule (CFR § 164.410), a business associate is required to notify a covered entity when a breach of unsecured PHI occurs. It is then the covered entity’s responsibility to notify HHS and the affected individual(s) – so it may be the case many data breaches are recorded as being attributable to a covered entity when in fact a business associate is at fault.

Developing a Risk Management Plan and Implementing New Procedures

A HIPAA risk assessment should reveal any areas of an organization’s security that need attention. Organizations then need to compile a risk management plan in order to address the weaknesses and vulnerabilities uncovered by the assessment and implement new procedures and policies where necessary to close the vulnerabilities most likely to result in a breach of PHI.

The risk levels assigned to each vulnerability will give an organization direction on the priority that each vulnerability needs to be given. The organization can then create a remediation plan to tackle the most critical vulnerabilities first. The remediation plan should be complemented with new procedures and policies where necessary, and appropriate workforce training and awareness programs.

It has been noted by OCR that the most frequent reason why covered entities and business associates fail HIPAA audits is because of a lack of procedures and policies – or inadequate policies and procedures. It is important that the appropriate procedures and policies are implemented in order to enforce changes to the workflow that have been introduced as a result of the HIPAA risk assessment.

Tools to Assist with a HIPAA Risk Assessment

Conducting a HIPAA risk assessment on every aspect of an organization’s operations – not matter what its size – can be complex. This is particularly true for small medical practices with limited resources and no previous experience of complying with HIPAA regulations. To help reduce the complexity of conducting HIPAA risk assessments, in 2014, OCR released a downloadable Security Risk Assessment (SRA) tool that helps small and medium sized medical practices with the compilation of a HIPAA risk assessment.

The SRA tool is very helpful in helping organizations identify some locations where weaknesses and vulnerabilities may exist – but not all. In the User Guide accompanying the software, it is stated at the beginning of the document “the SRA tool is not a guarantee of HIPAA compliance”. This is because, although the tool consists of 156 questions relating to the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of all PHI, there are no suggestions on how assign risk levels or what policies and procedures to introduce.

Much the same applies to other third-party tools that can be found on the Internet. They may also help organizations identify some weaknesses and vulnerabilities, but not provide a fully compliant HIPAA risk assessment. Indeed, many third-party vendors publish disclaimers in the small print of their terms and conditions similar to that at the beginning of the SRA tool User Guide. The conclusion is that tools to assist with a HIPAA risk assessment can be helpful for identifying issues but are not suitable for providing solutions to all issues.

HIPAA Risk Assessment FAQ

Where are risks most commonly identified?

Where risks are most commonly identified vary according to each organization and the nature of its activities. For example, a small medical practice may be at greater risk of impermissible disclosures through personal interactions, while a large healthcare group may be at greater risk of a data breach due to the misconfiguration of cloud servers.

What is a “reasonably anticipated threat”?

A reasonably anticipated threat is any threat to the privacy of individually identifiable health information or to the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of PHI that is foreseeable. These not only include threats from external bad actors, but also threats originating from human error or a lack of knowledge due to a lack of training. This is why a “big picture” view of organizational workflows is essential to identify reasonably anticipated threats.

What is the difference between a risk assessment and a risk analysis?

The difference between a risk assessment and a risk analysis is that a risk assessment identifies the risks to HIPAA compliance, whereas a risk analysis assigns risk levels for vulnerability and impact combinations. The objective of assigning risk levels to each risk is so that risks with the potential to be most damaging can be addressed as priorities. Most HIPAA risk analyses are conducted using a qualitative risk matrix.

Who is responsible for conducting a HIPAA security risk assessment?

The responsibility for conducting a HIPAA security risk assessment usually lies with a HIPAA Compliance Officer; or, if the responsibility for HIPAA compliance is shared between a HIPAA Privacy Officer and a HIPAA Security Officer, the risk assessment and analysis should be conducted by the HIPAA Security Officer with assistance from his or her colleague depending on the nature of risks identified.

Are there different types of risk assessment for covered entities and business associates?

There are not different types of risk assessment for covered entities and business associates. Both covered entities and business associates need to conduct “A-to-Z” risk assessments for any Protected Health Information created, used, or stored. While business associates may experience a lower volume of PHI than a covered entity, the risk assessment has to be just as thorough and just as well documented.

What is a HIPAA risk assessment?

A HIPAA risk assessment is a risk assessment that organizations subject to the Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act have to complete in order to be compliant with the “Security Management Process” requirements. Non-compliant organizations have been filed for failing to comply with this requirement of HIPAA.

What is the difference between a HIPAA risk assessment and a HIPAA compliance assessment?

The difference between a HIPAA risk assessment and a HIPAA compliance assessment is that a HIPAA risk assessment identifies potential threats and vulnerabilities so measures can be implemented to mitigate their likelihood. A HIPAA compliance assessment is usually an assessment performed by a third party to assess an organization´s compliance with the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules.

Why can I not find a HIPAA risk assessment template on the Internet?

You will not find a HIPAA risk assessment template on the Internet because covered entities and business associates vary significantly in size, complexity, and capabilities, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” HIPAA risk assessment. Due to the number of variables, there is no such thing as a HIPAA risk assessment template; and, if you do source a template from the Internet, you should treat it with caution as it may not include every potential risk to PHI maintained by your organization.

When is a HIPAA risk assessment necessary?

A HIPAA risk assessment is necessary in two instances. The first instance appears in the HIPAA Security Rule (45 CFR § 164.308 – Security Management Process). The second instance occurs under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule (45 CFR § 164.402), which applies when there has been an impermissible acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of unsecured PHI. However, organizations should conduct risk assessments more often than these requirements, particularly related to non-electronic PHI and organizational requirements.

What is the objective of a HIPAA security risk assessment?

The objective of a HIPAA security risk assessment is to identify risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all electronic PHI the covered entity or business associate creates, receives, maintains, or transmits. The risk assessment should not only focus on external threats, but also those within the organization attributable to malicious insiders or a lack of security awareness training.

What factors are considered in a HIPAA breach risk assessment?

The factors considered in a HIPAA breach risk assessment include the nature and extent of breached PHI, the types of identifiers and the likelihood of re-identification, the unauthorized person who accessed or used the breached PHI, whether PHI was actually acquired or viewed, and the extent to which the risk to PHI has been mitigated.

What could be the consequence of not identifying risks to PHI in a risk assessment?

The consequences of not identifying risks to PHI in a risk assessment are an increased likelihood of a data breach or impermissible disclosure, and – following on from such an event – a sanction issued by HHS’ Office for Civil Rights for failing to conduct a thorough risk assessment. It is important to be aware there are no excuses for failing to conduct a thorough risk assessment as covered entities and business associates “know or should know” they have a responsibility to safeguard PHI.

Do the HIPAA risk assessment requirements apply to Business Associates?

The HIPAA risk assessment requirements apply to business associates as business associates are required to comply with the HIPAA Security and Breach Notification Rules and the two HIPAA standards relating to HIPAA risk assessments appear in these Rules. Business associates are also advised to conduct HIPAA Privacy Rule risk assessments if the nature of their activities for a covered entity could violate the privacy of individually identifiable health information.

What tools can assist organizations with a HIPAA risk assessment?

The tools that can assist organizations with a HIPAA risk assessment include a downloadable Security Risk Assessment (SRA) tool released by HHS’ Office for Civil Rights in 2014 to help small and medium-sized medical practices with the compilation of a HIPAA risk assessment. There are also many tools available from third party compliance experts that are best used for identifying issues in situations not covered by the Security Risk Assessment Tool (i.e., HIPAA Privacy Rule compliance).

The post Understanding & Applying Risk Assessments appeared first on The HIPAA Journal.

The Top HIPAA Threats Are Not What You Think

Posted by Ian

The top HIPAA threats are threats from insiders who, either due to a lack of HIPAA training or a lack of security awareness, violate HIPAA standards or make mistakes that allow cybercriminals to access healthcare networks. While more training could help mitigate these top HIPAA threats, a fairly enforced sanctions policy will likely be more effective.

Many articles listing the top HIPAA threats pretty much follow a similar theme. Protect devices against theft, protect data against cybercriminals, and protect yourself against unauthorized third party disclosures by signing a Business Associate Agreement. Unfortunately these articles are way off the mark.

Inasmuch as the recommendations are sensible, and indeed should be followed, they fail to address the top HIPAA threats – employees. According to the recently-published IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Report, 71% of recorded data breaches in the healthcare industry are attributable to employee actions. Employees responsible for data breaches are divided into two categories – “malicious Insiders” (25%) and “inadvertent actors” (46%).

A Quarter of Healthcare Data Breaches Attributable to Malicious Insiders?

Although IBM´s Intelligence Report focuses on the number of breaches – rather than the number of records breached – the percentage of data breaches attributed to malicious insiders appears high. However, it is not the case that a quarter of the medical profession is stealing Protected Health Information for personal gain. A closer inspection of the data reveals the “malicious insiders” category includes employees snooping on the medical records of friends, colleagues, and celebrity patients.

Snooping was identified as the largest single cause of data breaches in the healthcare industry in a 2013 study conducted by Veriphyr Identity and Access Intelligence. As snooping constitutes an unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information, it is classified as a violation of HIPAA and therefore – by the number of violations alone – is one of the top HIPAA threats covered entities should be aware of. It is certainly a threat OCR would expect a covered entity to address in a HIPAA risk assessment.

Other Data Breaches Attributable to Malicious Insiders Tend to Attract Headlines

Whereas snooping can be the biggest cause of employee HIPAA violations by number, the biggest cause of employee HIPAA violations by records breached is insider data theft. In a recent high-profile case, a secretary employed by the Jackson Health System in Florida was charged with accessing more than 24,000 computerized patient records and selling the data to criminals, who subsequently used it to file fraudulent tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.

A spate of high-volume data breaches around the same time prompted the HHS´ Office for Civil Rights to issue a reminder to covered entities to take action to prevent insider data theft. Unfortunately many covered entities appear not to have responded to the reminder. A survey conducted in late 2016 revealed half of healthcare IT professionals were more concerned about insider data theft than external data theft, but were not given the resources to deal with the threat.

Are Inadvertent Actors Really More of a HIPAA Threat than Cybercriminals?

According to the basic data it would appear so. However, the category of “inadvertent actors” includes victims of phishing attacks and IT professionals who fail to configure their security mechanisms properly; so it may be more accurate to rename this category “employees who inadvertently invited cybercriminals to steal data”. Nonetheless, the percentage of reported data breaches attributable to inadvertent actors is nearly twice that of external hacks.

This would imply another of the top HIPAA threats is a lack of employee awareness. Phishing is a massive threat to HIPAA compliance, but it is one that can mitigated with phishing simulation training. Similarly, errors made by IT security can be reduced by implementing procedures to review the configuration of security mechanisms on a regular basis – which should be part of an annual risk assessment in any case. Basically, data breaches due to inadvertent actors are mostly avoidable.

The Top HIPAA Threats and How to Defend Against Them

At HIPAA Journal we strongly recommend covered entities encrypt data, implement two-factor authentication and conduct due diligence on business associates. These practices – and others provided by HIPAA threat-style articles- will help defend against some HIPAA threats, but not the top HIPAA threats. In order to defend against the top HIPAA threats of snooping, insider data theft and a lack of employee awareness, covered entities need to:

  • Implement strong policies relating to employee conduct and enforce them with an equally strong sanctions policy.
  • Implement effective access controls that monitor who accesses PHI when and where, and what happens to it afterwards.
  • Implement a comprehensive HIPAA training program to raise employee awareness – particularly in the area of Internet security.

More than anything, covered entities need to allocate more resources to eliminating data breaches attributable to employee actions. If the data provided in the IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Report is taken at face value, covered entities should allocate three times as many resources to defending against the top HIPAA threats that come from within than they allocate to external threats.

The post The Top HIPAA Threats Are Not What You Think appeared first on The HIPAA Journal.

Building a Stronger Compliance Program With Software

Posted by Ian

Healthcare compliance software is a comprehensive management tool that helps professional compliance officers to effectively oversee compliance efforts across their organization’s facilities, by proactively managing risk, streamlining workflows, improving collaboration, and demonstrating the achievement of compliance objectives to stakeholders.

What Are The Benefits Of Healthcare Compliance Software?

For a compliance pro, the benefits of compliance software are:

1. Increased Visibility: Compliance software provides real-time visibility into compliance activities across sites, including incident management, allowing the chief compliance officer to monitor progress, track key metrics, and identify areas that require attention, on  a per site and per employee basis. This increased visibility and granularity enhances the chief compliance officer’s ability to effectively oversee compliance efforts across the organization.

2. Streamlined Workflows: Compliance software automates many administrative tasks related to compliance management, such as tracking compliance activities, scheduling self-audits, and managing documentation. This saves time and reduces manual effort for all compliance team members.

3. Enhanced Reporting: Customizable reporting and analytics allow compliance officers to generate detailed reports on compliance activities, performance metrics, and audit findings. These reports help communicate compliance efforts to senior management, regulators, and other stakeholders, showcasing a commitment to compliance excellence. They also make evidence tracking simple so that this can be provided for an audit.

4. Centralized Documentation: By providing a centralized repository for storing and managing compliance-related documents, such as policies, procedures, training materials, and audit reports, healthcare compliance software ensures that all relevant documentation is organized, up-to-date, and easily accessible when needed.

5. Improved Collaboration: Facilitating collaboration and communication among compliance team members, stakeholders, and other departments, compliance software for healthcare organizations improves coordination and alignment on compliance initiatives. This enhances the chief compliance officer’s ability to create an exemplary compliance culture across the organization.

6. Reduced Risk: By automating compliance processes, providing real-time visibility into compliance activities, and facilitating proactive risk management, healthcare regulatory compliance software helps compliance officers minimize risk and mitigate potential compliance failures.

What To Consider When Purchasing Healthcare Compliance Software?

There are three aspects to consider when purchasing healthcare compliance software:

Healthcare Compliance Software For Compliance Managers1. Essential Functionality

2. Software Specifications

3. Business Considerations

The following buyer’s framework has been designed to guide you to find the most suitable solution for your organization’s compliance objectives, through a comprehensive and objective assessment of available options.

1. What Essential Functionality Is Required For Healthcare Compliance Software?

The best healthcare compliance software solution is a flexible all-in-one healthcare compliance system that follows a recognized framework like the OIG-HHS Seven Fundamental Elements Of An Effective Compliance Program. It should offer real-time visibility of compliance objectives across all the organization’s facilities, and because all organizations are different, it should have both prebuilt and fully customizable options.

The following is the essential functionality for your organization’s healthcare regulatory compliance requirements:

1. All In One Compliance

  • Does the software cover all healthcare regulatory areas such as HIPAA, OSHA, and SOC 2 compliance?
  • Does the software allow you to customize your own compliance standards?
  • Does it include OIG exclusion screening and monitoring?

2. Risk Management

  • Self-audit and external audit management
  • Risk scoring
  • Gap identification
  • Remediation planning
  • Evidence tracking

3. Incident Response & Management

  • Anonymous incident reporting for employees
  • Breach incident reporting
  • Breach management tools for internal and external incidents

4. Policies & Procedures

  • Templated and customizable policies and procedures
  • Policy and procedure management
  • Central storage of policies and procedures
  • Employee attestation management
  • Employee portal for easy access to review policies

5. Employee Training

  • Train, track, and manage compliance training for employees
  • Up-to-date compliance training modules
  • Personalized, individual employee training certificates
  • Training beyond HIPAA covering other HR needs such as OSHA and Fraud Waste & Abuse

6. Vendor Management

  • Identify and track business associates
  • Customizable business associate agreement templates
  • Store and track business associate agreements
  • Vendor due diligence and risk scoring
  • Contract management and vendor exclusion screening

7. Multi-Site Management

  • Manage the compliance levels at each site in an organization separately

8. Reporting

  • Customizable reporting templates including reports to demonstrate compliance with stakeholders or regulators
  • Centralized documentation storage
  • Audit logging and reports

8. Employee Screening

  • Ability to check the HHS OIG Exclusions list
  • Sanction screening 
  • Employee conformance scoring
  • HRIS integrations

2. What Are The Software Specifications To Consider For Compliance Solutions?

Software specifications are aspects of a solution, such as usability or scalability, that are not about specific functionality but describe the broader qualities of the software. Specifications can help inform your decision when comparing healthcare compliance management software options.

1. Ease Of Use

  • Assess the software’s overall user experience, including the user interface and navigation menus.
  • Does the software have an intuitive interface that includes workflows for conducting compliance activities?
  • Do dashboards demonstrate at a glance the overall compliance state of the organization, while also showing individual tasks, messages, and alerts like in our example below?

Healthcare Compliance Software Dashboards

  • How user-friendly are the training modules that employees will be required to take as part of the organization’s compliance?

2. Customization

  • Are workspaces customizable?
  • Are documents such as policies customizable?
  • Are reports customizable?

3. Scalability & Flexibility

  • Can the software accommodate your organization’s current scale, for example, to manage multiple locations?
  • Can it scale up and adapt to your organization’s evolving future needs?

4. Integration Capabilities

  • How will the software integrate with your existing IT infrastructure and the other third-party applications used within your organization?
  • Cloud-based solutions are the easiest to implement, and have the advantage that ongoing infrastructure maintenance is the responsibility of the software vendor.

5. Future Proofing

  • How will the software vendor address regulatory changes and updates to ensure ongoing compliance in a timely manner?

3. What Are The Business Considerations When Choosing Software?

Often when evaluating functionality and specifications, a favored vendor will quickly emerge. Nevertheless, it is recommended that you fully examine the commercial and business considerations before a final decision is made.

1. Vendor Reputation

  • Is the software endorsed by any medical associations?
  • Does the vendor have up-to-date case studies and testimonials from other similarly sized healthcare organizations that have successfully implemented the solution?
  • It is always a good idea to speak directly with existing customers about their experiences with both the software and the vendor.
  • It is better to speak to “random” customers than those provided by the vendor because it is highly unlikely they will provide a reference for an organization with a poor experience.
  • If you have compliance department contacts across the healthcare industry consider reaching out to ask if anyone has direct experience with your favored vendor.

2. Vendor Training & Support

  • Does the vendor offer live support throughout the initial implementation phase?
  • What training is offered for your compliance team?
  • After setup what ongoing support is offered? Is it 24 x 7?

3. Costs 

  • Look for a transparent breakdown of pricing structures, including initial setup costs, licensing fees, and any additional charges for support or updates.
  • Is there a one-time purchase cost or is it a subscription-based model? Subscriptions have become the most common way to purchase cloud-based software.
  • If fees are charged on a per-seat subscription basis then how will they change as the organization grows?
  • If cost is an issue and it appears that the solutions on your shortlist are similar, ensure you create a price comparison table taking all factors into account, such as extra costs for training or support.
  • You can also do the same comparison exercise based on growth scenarios. You don’t want to choose a cheaper solution now that turns into a far more expensive solution later on.
  • Does the vendor offer discounts? For example, they may offer a group discount for an association you may already be a member of. It’s always worth asking as often this can be 15% or more off the list price annually.

4. Free Trial Or Money Back Guarantee

  • A full demonstration may be enough to help you make your decision, but sometimes a short trial period can be helpful if you have any doubts. It also allows you to ask your colleagues to take a look at their convenience before a final decision is made.
  • Not all software is suitable for a free trial because of the effort required for the setup by both the vendor and the healthcare organization. In this scenario, you could ask for a guarantee that if you are not satisfied you have the option to back out of the agreement within a certain period.

5. Software Licence Period

  • What is the commitment period you are signing up for? Is it month-by-month or year-by-year? Is there a minimum period such as three or five years? Read the small print on any agreement before you send it to your legal department.
  • The advantage of shorter periods is that the onus is on the software vendor to ensure you are kept happy because they won’t want you to cancel. Alternatively, if you are willing to sign up for a longer period then you may be able to negotiate a lower annual cost.

Buyers Guide Best HIPAA Compliance SoftwareFree Buyer’s Guide

We have compiled a free buyer’s guide to choosing the best healthcare regulatory compliance software. This includes a checklist for the three aspects discussed in this article where you can rate up to three different solutions and compare your results. This guide to choosing healthcare compliance software can be downloaded by filling in the form on this page.

The post Building a Stronger Compliance Program With Software appeared first on The HIPAA Journal.

Why HIPAA Compliance Software Is Perfect For Small Medical Practices

Posted by Ian

For most small medical practices HIPAA compliance software is a very helpful and inexpensive tool that makes navigating the complexities of HIPAA simple, while also fostering peace of mind through a comprehensive risk management processes.

Best HIPAA Compliance Software For HIPAA OfficersAt smaller organizations with under 100 employees, responsibility for HIPAA compliance normally falls to an administrator or practice manager who usually won’t have deep knowledge of compliance matters. For these multitasking individuals, HIPAA compliance software reduces the administrative burden and lessens the likelihood of an expensive HIPAA breach.

What Are The Benefits Of HIPAA Compliance Software?

The benefits of using HIPAA compliance software for an administrator or practice manager are as follows:

  • Reduced Administrative Burden: HIPAA compliance software automates many administrative tasks related to compliance management, such as tracking training requirements, managing documentation, and scheduling audits. This frees up time and reduces the administrative burden.
  • Effective Risk Management: HIPAA compliance solutions provide tools for conducting risk assessments, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing risk mitigation strategies.
  • Confidence In Role: The best HIPAA compliance software offers built-in guidance, templates, and best practices to support compliance efforts. This helps the compliance officer feel more confident in their ability to fulfil their responsibilities, even without specialized training or expertise in compliance matters.
  • Reduced Stress: By using HIPAA compliance tracking software, individuals can feel reassured that they are taking all necessary steps to protect patient information and maintain compliance with HIPAA. This peace of mind reduces the stress and uncertainty associated with compliance management.

What To Consider When Purchasing HIPAA Compliance Software?

By following our buyer’s guide framework, you can make a thorough assessment of the best HIPAA compliance software options and select the most suitable solution to support your organization’s requirements. There are three aspects to consider when purchasing HIPAA compliance software which are discussed in detail below:

1. Essential Functionality

2. Software Specifications

3. Business Considerations

1. What Essential Functionality Is Required For HIPAA Compliance Software?

The best HIPAA compliance software should be a flexible system that follows a recognized framework like the HHS’s Seven Fundamental Elements Of An Effective Compliance Program. It should offer both a prebuilt approach and customizable options.

The solution needs to ultimately provide proof of compliance for patients, clients, and auditors, and ideally offer a certification process for this.

For compliance officers with little experience, the initial setup of the software is key. The best HIPAA compliance solutions offer some form of live compliance coaching to guide you through each step of setting up your HIPAA compliance program. 

The following essential functionality will allow you to confidently address your organization’s compliance requirements:

1. Risk Assessment

  • Risk assessment tools
  • Risk scoring
  • Gap identification
  • Remediation planning
  • Evidence tracking (for inspections)
  • Guidance wizards to help set-up and identify action plan

2. Incident Response

  • Anonymous incident reporting for employees
  • Breach incident reporting
  • Breach management tools

3. Policies & Procedures

  • Templated and customizable policies and procedures
  • Policy and procedure management
  • Central storage of policies and procedures
  • Employee attestation management
  • Employee portal for easy access to review policies

4. Employee Training

  • Train, track, and manage HIPAA compliance training for employees
  • Up-to-date HIPAA compliance training modules
  • Personalized, individual employee training certificates
  • Training beyond HIPAA covering other HR needs such as OSHA and Fraud Waste & Abuse

5. Vendor/ Business Associate Management

  • Identify and track business associates
  • Customizable business associate agreement templates
  • Store and track business associate agreements
  • Vendor due diligence and risk scoring
  • Contract management and vendor exclusion screening

6. Multi-Site Management

  • Manage the compliance levels at each site in an organization separately

7. Reporting

  • Customizable reporting templates including reports to demonstrate compliance to stakeholders or regulators
  • Centralized documentation storage
  • Audit logging and reports

8. Employee Screening (not essential)

  • Ability to check the HHS OIG Exclusions list
  • Sanction screening 
  • Employee conformance scoring
  • HRIS integrations

Healthcare Compliance CategorieWhat other features should you consider for your HIPAA compliance solution?

  • Consider if you also need OSHA (Dental or Medical) and SOC 2 compliance, and if so, ensure your chosen software can provide this as an all-in-one healthcare compliance solution.
  • Does the software allow you to customize your own compliance standards?

2. What Are The Software Specifications To Consider For HIPAA Compliance Solutions?

Software specifications are aspects of a solution, such as usability or scalability, that are not about specific functionality but describe the broader qualities of the software. Specifications will help inform your decision when comparing HIPAA compliance software solutions.

1. Ease Of Use

  • Assess the software’s overall user experience, including the user interface and navigation around the solution.
  • Does it have an intuitive interface that includes guided workflows for conducting compliance activities? This is vital to make it easier for individuals without deep compliance expertise to navigate the compliance process.
  • How user-friendly are the training modules that employees will be required to take as part of the organization’s compliance?

Best HIPAA Compliance Software Dashboard

2. Scalability & Flexibility

  • Can the software accommodate your organization’s current scale, for example, to manage multiple locations?
  • Can it scale up and adapt to your organization’s evolving future needs?

3. Integration Capabilities

  • How will the software integrate with your existing IT infrastructure and the other third-party applications used within your organization?
  • Cloud-based solutions are the easiest to implement, and have the advantage that ongoing infrastructure maintenance is the responsibility of the software vendor.

4. Future Proofing

  • How will the software vendor address regulatory changes and updates to ensure ongoing compliance in a timely manner?

3. What Are The Business Considerations When Choosing Software?

You may find that when evaluating functionality and specifications, a favored vendor will emerge and you feel ready to award them the business right away. It is highly recommended that you don’t allow yourself to be pressured into a fast decision before fully examining the commercial and business considerations.

1. Vendor Reputation

  • Is the software endorsed by any medical associations?
  • Do they have current case studies and testimonials from other healthcare organizations that have successfully implemented the software?
  • It is always a good idea to request references i.e. to directly speak with existing customers about their experiences with both the software and the vendor.

2. Vendor Training & Support

  • Does the vendor offer live support to guide you through the setup of their HIPAA compliance software solution?
  • Is there a separate cost for this, or is it included in the price?
  • After setup what ongoing support is offered and it is this included in the vendor’s annual charges?

3. Costs

  • Look for a transparent breakdown of pricing structures, including initial setup costs, licensing fees, and any additional charges for support or updates.
  • Is there a one-time purchase cost or is it a subscription-based model? Subscriptions have become the most common way to purchase cloud-based software.
  • If cost is an issue and it appears that the solutions on your shortlist are similar, ensure you create a price comparison table taking all factors into account, such as extra costs for training or support. For example, whether HIPAA training is included or not.
  • Does the vendor offer discounts? For example, they may offer a group discount for an association you may already be a member of. It’s always worth asking as often this can be 15% or more off the list price annually.

4. Free Trial Or Money Back Guarantee

  • A full demonstration may be enough to help you make your decision, but sometimes a short trial period can be helpful if you have any doubts. It also allows you to ask your colleagues to take a look before a final decision is made.
  • Not all software is suitable for a free trial because of the effort required for the setup by both the vendor and the customer. In this scenario, you could ask for a guarantee that if you are not satisfied you have the option to back out of the agreement within a certain timeframe, like 30 days.

5. Software License Period

  • What is the commitment period you are signing up for? Is it month-by-month or year-by-year? Is there a minimum period such as three or five years? Read the small print on any agreement.
  • The advantage of shorter periods is that the onus is on the software vendor to ensure you are kept happy because they won’t want you to cancel. Alternatively, if you are willing to sign up for a longer period, or pay for a year in advance, then the annual costs may be reduced.

Free Buyer’s Guide

We have compiled a free buyer’s guide to choosing HIPAA compliance software. This includes a checklist for the three aspects discussed in this article where you can rate up to three different solutions and compare your results.

This guide to choosing the best HIPAA compliance software can be downloaded by filling in the form on this page.

 

The post Why HIPAA Compliance Software Is Perfect For Small Medical Practices appeared first on The HIPAA Journal.

What is HIPAA Certification For Healthcare Vendors?

Posted by Ian

This post still to be written: HIPAA certification is the process in which an independent third party organization audits a vendor to certify and confirm that the physical, technical, and administrative safeguards required for HIPAA compliance have been met, with the award of a formal document that signals the completion of a HIPAA compliance process.

Certifying that an organization’s workforce is HIPAA compliant can have similar benefits to those discussed above inasmuch as a compliant workforce is less likely to violate HIPAA or make mistakes that could result in data breaches. Similarly achieving workforce HIPAA certification demonstrates a reasonable amount of care to abide by the HIPAA Rules in the event of an OCR investigation or audit.

For individual members of the workforce, HIPAA certification can help foster patient trust, support applications for promotion, and increase prospects in the job market. However, it is what workforce members learn during a certification program that can have the biggest impact on their professional lives, as this can help prevent unintentional violations that can have significant consequences.

Unintentional violations of HIPAA can be attributable to a lack of knowledge, shortcuts being taken “to get the job done”, or because a cultural norm of noncompliance has been allowed to develop. Whatever the reason, violations of HIPAA can result in sanctions ranging from written warnings to loss of professional accreditation – sanctions that can be avoided by applying the information learned during a certification program.

HIPAA training is not optional and “a covered entity must train all members of its workforce on policies and procedures […] as necessary and appropriate for the members of the workforce to carry out their functions within the covered entity” as stated in §164.530(b)(1) of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. All HIPAA covered entities must  “implement a security awareness and training program for all members of its workforce including management” as stated in §164.308(a)(5) of the HIPAA Security Rule.

Why Organizations Get Certified As Being HIPAA Compliant?

The first reason for getting certified is that, in order to achieve an accreditation, organizations will have to adopt best privacy practices and implement the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule. This in itself will reduce the likelihood of HIPAA violations and data breaches – leading to a reduction in patient complaints and OCR investigations.

If – despite achieving an accreditation – a violation still occurs that results in an OCR investigation, a certificate of HIPAA compliance demonstrates “a reasonable amount of care to abide by the HIPAA Rules”. This can be the difference between a HIPAA violation being classified as a Tier 1 violation (minimum penalty per violation $141) and a Tier 2 violation (minimum penalty per violation $1.424).

For business associates, and covered entities that act as business associates for other covered entities, HIPAA certification demonstrates an intention to operate compliantly – making an organization’s services more attractive and reducing the amount of due diligence required before a covered entity and business associate enter into a Business Associate Agreement.

HIPAA Certification Requirements for Covered Entities

In order for a covered entity to be certified as HIPAA compliant, third-party compliance experts will review seven areas of compliance:

  • Compliance with the administrative, technical, and physical safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule. This includes (but is not limited to), an asset and device audit, an IT risk analysis questionnaire, a physical site audit, a security standards audit, a privacy standards audit, and HITECH Subtitle D privacy audit.
  • Remediation plans to address gaps identified in the above audits.
  • Policies and procedures to address HIPAA regulatory compliance and document a “good faith” effort towards compliance.
  • An employee training program that includes employee understanding of the above policies and procedures.
  • A documentation audit to ensure the documentation required by HIPAA is maintained and accessible.
  • Business Associate Agreement management and due diligence procedures.
  • Incident management procedures in the event of a data breach or reportable violation of HIPAA.

Because of the processes involved in auditing compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule, the HIPAA certification requirements cannot be fulfilled overnight. It is also impossible to put a timeframe on how long it may take to achieve HIPAA certification without knowing what gaps might be identified during the audit processes and the nature of the remediation plans required to address them.

HIPAA Certification Requirements for Business Associates

The HIPAA certification requirements for business associates are much the same as above but tailored to the nature of services provided for covered entities. One important point to note is that 45 CFR § 164.308 stipulates a security and awareness training program must be implemented for all members of the workforce – not just those involved in the provision of a service to a covered entity. It is common for potential business associates of HIPAA covered entities to undergo audits by third party HIPAA compliance companies in order to confirm that their products, services, policies, and procedures meet HIPAA standards. The audits are useful for covered entities’ peace of mind as they confirm HIPAA compliance at the time the audit was conducted.

However, for business associates unfamiliar with the far-reaching complexities of HIPAA, it is likely they will require help to become compliant. For this reason, it can be important to select a third-party HIPAA compliance company that not only offers HIPAA certification services, but also helps business associates implement effective HIPAA compliance programs.

HIPAA Certification FAQs

Why is HIPAA certification described as a “point in time” accreditation?

HIPAA certification is described as a “point in time” accreditation because HIPAA compliance is an on-going progress. A HIPAA certified organization may have passed a third-party company’s HIPAA compliance program and implemented mechanisms to maintain compliance, but that is no guarantee the organization will remain compliant in the future. HIPAA certification should be considered an initial objective and then an ongoing task.

Can software be certified as HIPAA compliant?

Software cannot be certified as HIPAA compliant because, while it is possible for software to have HIPAA compliant capabilities, the way the capabilities are used determines compliance with the HIPAA Rules. It is also important to note the distinction between HIPAA compliant software and HIPAA compliance software.

What does HHS say about HIPAA certification?

What HHS says about HIPAA certification is that there is no requirement in HIPAA for a covered entity or business associate or healthcare worker to be certified as compliant. The Department warns organizations to be aware of misleading marketing claims suggesting compliance programs or material is endorsed by HHS or the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

What is the difference between a third party audit and an HHS audit?

The difference between a third party audit and an HHS audit is that a third party audit checks a covered entity´s HIPAA compliance and, if lapses in compliance are found, the covered entity has an opportunity to address them. If lapses in compliance are found during an HHS audit, the covered entity may be fined – even if there has been no unauthorized use or disclosure of PHI. Because of the risk of a financial penalty for non-compliance, the cost of a third party audit can be a sound investment.

What is the cost of a third party compliance audit?

The cost of a third party compliance audit depends on the size of the covered entity or business associate and the nature of activities. For example, the cost of a third party audit for a major healthcare group is going to be significantly more than the cost to a sole-trader insurance broker who handles a limited number of healthcare claims each year.

How long does HIPAA certification for covered entities and business associates last?

HIPAA certification for covered entities and business associates does not “last”. A HIPAA certification indicates that a covered entity or business associate has passed a third-party company´s HIPAA compliance program and “at that point in time” was HIPAA compliant. As soon as that point in time has passed, a HIPAA certification is no guarantee of compliance. As a result, HIPAA certification has no lifespan and it is a best practice is to conduct regular compliance audits.

How long does HIPAA certification for healthcare workers last?

How long HIPAA certification for healthcare workers lasts depends on whether the certification has been achieved independently or as part of an employer’s training program. If the former, the “point in time” principle applies. If the latter, the certification should be retained for six years in compliance with the HIPAA documentation requirements. It is also recommended refresher training is provided at least annually.

How does HIPAA certification help foster patient trust?

HIPAA certification helps foster patient trust because one of the most important elements of a patient/healthcare professional relationship is trust. When patients are confident their privacy is being respected, this will help foster trust – which contributes to the delivery of better care in order to achieve optimal health outcomes. Better patient outcomes raise the morale of healthcare professionals and result in more rewarding work experience.

Why might a healthcare professional lack knowledge of HIPAA?

A healthcare professional might lack knowledge of HIPAA because covered entities are only required to provide training relevant to a healthcare professional’s role. When a healthcare professional transfers to a new role – or is asked to substitute for a colleague in a different role – they may not immediately have the level of HIPAA knowledge relevant to the role they are performing, potentially resulting in unintentional HIPAA violations.

How are cultural norms of noncompliance allowed to develop?

Cultural norms of non-compliance are allowed to develop in the workplace because many covered entities lack the resources to monitor HIPAA compliance 24/7. It is not unusual for busy healthcare workers to take shortcuts with HIPAA compliance “to get the job done”; and, if the shortcuts become a regular occurrence, they develop into a cultural norm of noncompliance. This is why it is important for covered entities to provide refresher HIPAA training at least annually.

What does HIPAA certification signify?

HIPAA certification signifies that an organization has passed a HIPAA compliance audit. Although this may only be a point in time accreditation, the certification demonstrates the organization has effectively implemented HIPAA’s privacy provisions and security standards. Alternatively, a HIPAA certification for an individual can signify that a member of the workforce has achieved the level of HIPAA knowledge required to comply with the organization’s policies and procedures.

Is certification a requirement of HIPAA?

Certification is not a requirement of HIPAA. It is a voluntary process that organizations can undertake to validate their understanding and implementation of HIPAA’s regulations. Indeed, preparing for certification can help organizations fine-tune risk analyses to better identify gaps in compliance and make better informed decisions about how to fill the gaps.

What are the benefits of becoming HIPAA certified?

The benefits of becoming HIPAA certified include that the process of certification can help organizations adopt best privacy practices and implement the safeguards required by the HIPAA Security Rule. This can reduce the likelihood of HIPAA violations and data breaches. Also, if a violation does occur, certification may demonstrate “a reasonable amount of care” to abide by the rules, which could impact the severity of penalties.

How can HIPAA certification affect the penalties for HIPAA violations?

HIPAA certification can impact the penalties for HIPAA violations significantly if – for example – an organization that is certified experiences a HIPAA violation, and HHS’ Office for Civil Rights investigates the violation. A HIPAA certification demonstrates a good faith effort to comply with HIPAA. This could influence the decision about whether a violation is classified as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 violation, affecting the minimum penalty per violation – if a penalty is imposed at all.

Why might business associates find it beneficial to obtain HIPAA certification?

Business associates might find it beneficial to obtain HIPAA certification to demonstrate the intention to operate compliantly, making their services more appealing to prospective covered entities in a crowded marketplace. Also, if a business associate has achieved HIPAA certification, it may reduce the amount of due diligence required before a covered entity will enter into a Business Associate Agreement.

What are the key areas of compliance that are reviewed for a covered entity to be certified as HIPAA compliant?

The key areas of compliance that are reviewed for a covered entity to be certified as HIPAA compliant include adherence to the HIPAA Security Rule’s administrative, technical, and physical safeguards; remediation plans for gaps identified in audits; policies and procedures for regulatory compliance; employee training; documentation management; Business Associate Agreement management; and incident management procedures for data breaches or violations.

How do HIPAA certification requirements differ for business associates compared to covered entities?

HIPAA certification requirements differ for business associates compared to covered entities by being tailored to the services being offered to or on behalf of covered entities. A key point is that business associates must implement a security and awareness training program for all members of the workforce, not just those involved in services being offered to or on behalf of covered entities.

What are the benefits of HIPAA certification for healthcare workers?

The benefits of HIPAA certification for healthcare workers are that healthcare workers achieve a deeper understanding of HIPAA beyond the basic “policy and procedure” training provided by employers. This comprehensive education covers frequently violated standards like patients’ rights, the minimum necessary standard, and allowable uses and disclosures – helping to prevent unintentional violations due to lack of knowledge.

How long does it take to achieve HIPAA certification?

The length of time it takes to achieve HIPAA certification can vary widely and is difficult to predict without knowing the level of knowledge that each organization or individual is starting from, the gaps that might be identified during audit processes and the nature of the remediation plans required to address them. The process involves thorough several audits and tests, and cannot be completed overnight.

The post What is HIPAA Certification For Healthcare Vendors? appeared first on The HIPAA Journal.

Test Post With DIA & MIA

Posted by Ian

The purpose of HIPAA compliance software is to provide a framework to guide a HIPAA-covered entity or business associate through the process of becoming HIPAA-compliant and ensuring continued compliance with HIPAA and HITECH Act Rules.

The HIPAA software helps compliance officers navigate the nuances of HIPAA and ensure all applicable provisions of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules are satisfied. The software also proves a company has made a good faith effort to comply with HIPAA by maintaining full documentation of compliance activities.

This ensures that if a company is audited by the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or is investigated by OCR or state attorneys general over a data breach, the organization can demonstrate no aspect of HIPAA has been missed, all policies and procedures are in order, members of the workforce have received training, and appropriate technical, physical, and administrative safeguards have been implemented and are being maintained.

It should be noted that the use of HIPAA compliance software will not absolve companies of liability in every circumstance (i.e., in the event of an employee violating HIPAA), but regulators do take a covered entity’s or business associate’s good faith efforts to comply with HIPAA into account when deciding whether a financial penalty or other sanction is appropriate.

If you are a vendor looking for information on how to make your software solution HIPAA compliant please click here.

Avoid Taking Shortcuts with HIPAA Compliance Software

Many compliance solutions only address specific elements of HIPAA compliance, such as the risk assessment. While HIPAA risk assessment software is a good place to start, it only covers one required provision of the HIPAA Security Rule.

Software that only covers specific aspects of HIPAA compliance will not help covered entities and business associates assess and demonstrate they are fully compliant. Even if covered entities and business associates are confident about their compliance programs, it is best to use a comprehensive software solution that covers all the required and addressable implementation specifications of HIPAA, the HITECH Act breach notification requirements, and even state laws.

A comprehensive compliance software solution may be more expensive in the short-term; but, by efficiently guiding covered entities and business associates though the full compliance process, costs can be reduced, all gaps can be identified and addressed, and the risk of regulatory fines for noncompliance can be reduced to a minimal level.

Best HIPAA Compliance Software

HIPAA Compliance Software For Compliance OfficersThe best HIPAA compliance software is a comprehensive compliance solution that walks users through setting up, implementing, and maintaining HIPAA policies and procedures, tracks staff training, and ensures all appropriate safeguards are implemented to meet HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule requirements.

Many HIPAA compliance software solutions include templates for policies and HIPAA documents, such as business associate agreements. While these are certainly useful and can save compliance officers a great deal of time, HIPAA requires all policies and procedures to specific and relevant to each organization.

The best HIPAA compliance software solutions make it easy for policies, procedures, and HIPAA documentation to be customized to cover the specific ways that the organization creates, receives, uses, stores, and transmits protected health information.

The top HIPAA compliance solutions also help with the management of business associates. Business associates can be fined directly for HIPAA violations, but HIPAA covered entities also have a responsibility to ensure vendors are fully compliant. A HIPAA breach at a business associate will have many negative implications for a covered entity.

Some HIPAA compliance software solutions allow covered entities to send self-audits to business associates, monitor the results of the audits, and track and maintain business associate agreements.

You should also look for a software solution that lets you track employee HIPAA and security awareness training to ensure that every member of the workforce has received and – where required – has attested to receiving training.

Last but not least, even the best HIPAA compliance software solutions are not guaranteed to resolve all HIPAA compliance issues. If problems are experienced, support staff should be available to guide you through the compliance process and answer any questions you may have about HIPAA. Look for a software provider that offers regular sessions with compliance experts who will be able to answer any HIPAA questions and assess your compliance program and progress.

Assessing Suitable HIPAA Compliance Software Vendors

Finding a suitable vendor of HIPAA compliance software can be a challenge. We suggest the following tips for finding a suitable software vendor to ensure the service provided for you is comprehensive and does not leave any unidentified gaps in your compliance efforts:

  • Avoid HIPAA training courses that promise compliance certification within a matter of minutes
  • Select vendors that offer compliance solutions tailored to your specific needs
  • Ensure somebody is available to answer any questions and guide you through the compliance process
  • Check the vendor offers a solution that supports continued compliance rather than simply providing a one-off assessment
  • Request verifiable testimonials from the vendor.

HIPAA Compliance Software Vs. HIPAA Compliant Software

The terms “HIPAA compliant software” and “HIPAA compliance software” are frequently used interchangeably by some software vendors, although the two terms mean something quite different.

“HIPAA compliance software” is more often than not an app or service that guides a business through its compliance efforts. This type of software can either help with specific elements of HIPAA compliance (i.e. Security Rule risk assessments) or provide a total solution for every element of HIPAA compliance.

HIPAA compliant software is usually an app or service for healthcare organizations that includes all the necessary privacy and security safeguards to meet the requirements of HIPAA – for instance, secure messaging solutions, hosting services, and secure cloud storage services. HIPAA compliant software does not guarantee compliance. It is the responsibility of users of the software solutions to ensure the software is used in a HIPAA-compliant manner.

If you are a vendor looking for information on how to make your software solution HIPAA compliant please click here.

HIPAA Risk Assessment Software

ScreenshotOne of the most important elements of the HIPAA Security Rule is the risk analysis or risk assessment. The purpose of the risk assessment is to identify all risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information (PHI). If the risk assessment is not performed, healthcare organizations cannot be sure that all risks have been identified, which means it will not be possible to reduce those risks to a reasonable and acceptable level through the HIPAA risk management process.

Even though the risk assessment is foundational element of HIPAA compliance, it is one of the provisions of HIPAA that causes healthcare organizations the most problems. The failure to conduct an organization-wide HIPAA-compliant risk assessment is the single most common HIPAA violation penalized by OCR in its enforcement actions.

The use of HIPAA risk assessment software helps to ensure that the risk assessment is completed to the standard demanded by HIPAA, by guiding organizations through the whole process and ensuring all identified risks are tracked along with the efforts made by the company to remediate those risks.

HIPAA Compliance Certification for Software

There is no officially recognized HIPAA compliance certification for software, as any certification only confirms a software solution has incorporated all of the required safeguards to meet the requirements of HIPAA Rules. HIPAA compliance certification for software only confirms a solution is compliant at the moment when the compliance certificate is issued.

That said, many training and software companies issue HIPAA compliance certification to companies that have demonstrated compliance through the use of the software. These HIPAA compliance certifications may not be officially recognized by OCR and state attorneys general, but they do serve an important purpose.

They provide assurances that policies and procedures have been introduced in line with HIPAA, demonstrate a company is fully aware of its responsibilities under HIPAA and has provided appropriate training to employees, and confirm that software meets or exceeds the minimum standards for privacy and security demanded by HIPAA.

Vendors looking to break into the healthcare market will need to demonstrate to prospective healthcare clients that they are aware of their responsibilities with respect to HIPAA and provide “reasonable assurances” to the covered entity that they are compliant. This is achieved through the signing of a business associate agreement, but the use of HIPAA compliance software and any accompanying HIPAA compliance certification will help. It can be used to differentiate a company’s products and services and stand out from the competition.

Summary

It can be time-consuming finding a suitable vendor with a product to match your specific needs. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to HIPAA compliance, but the effort you put into identifying and addressing HIPAA compliance shortfalls is likely to pay dividends in the long run. Ensuring all aspects of HIPAA are satisfied should improve your security posture and help you prevent costly data breaches.

The software will ensure that no provision of HIPAA is overlooked, thus helping the company avoid regulatory fines for noncompliance.

FAQs

Is HIPAA compliance software the same for covered entities and business associates?

HIPAA compliance software is not the same for covered entities and business associates. While both covered entities and business associates are required to comply with all “applicable” standards of the HIPAA Administrative Simplification Regulations, a covered entity would likely need more comprehensive guidance through the complexities of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. In addition, topics such as business associate management would most often be unique to covered entities.

What is the most important feature of HIPAA compliance software for covered entities?

The most important feature of HIPAA compliance software for covered entities depends on whether gaps exist in the covered entity´s compliance efforts and what they are. For some covered entities, the risk assessment and analysis software may be most important. For others it may be helpful with responding to an OCR audit or HIPAA breach.

What is the most important feature of HIPAA compliance software for business associates?

The most important feature of HIPAA compliance software for business associates will again depend on whether gaps exist in the business associate’s compliance efforts and what they are. However, one of the most important benefits of HIPAA compliance software for business associates is understanding business associate agreements. Too often, business associates sign unnecessary agreements, exposing themselves to liability if a covered entity is at fault for a data breach.

Is there any HIPAA software my organization should avoid?

With regards to HIPAA software your organization should avoid, be wary of any software vendor that offers compliance training or compliance certification “within an hour” or “for less than $20” – especially those who certify HIPAA compliance with a pass mark of less than 100%. While a certificate with a 75% compliance score may look good on your website, anyone familiar with HIPAA will know this means your organization is 25% non-compliant.

Where can I find out more about HIPAA compliance software?

You can find out more about HIPAA compliance software by taking advantage of our reader offer to see a demo of the Compliancy Group’s HIPAA compliance software in action. This will not only give you the opportunity to see what HIPAA software does, but also to ask questions about how the software can be customized to be suitable for your organization and the nature of its operations.

What is the purpose of HIPAA compliance software?

The purpose of HIPAA compliance software is to provide a framework to guide HIPAA-covered entities and business associates through the process of becoming HIPAA-compliant and ensuring continued compliance with HIPAA and HITECH Act Rules. The software helps compliance officers navigate the nuances of HIPAA and ensures all applicable provisions of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules are satisfied.

How can HIPAA compliance software help during an investigation or audit by OCR inspectors?

HIPAA compliance software can help during an investigation or audit by OCR inspectors by providing full documentation of compliance efforts. The documentation demonstrates that the organization has made a good faith effort to comply with HIPAA, that all applicable policies and procedures are in order, and that workforce members have received training.

Does HIPAA compliance software absolve organizations of liability in the event of a data breach?

HIPAA compliance software does not absolve organizations of liability in the event of a data breach because there are several types of events compliance software is not capable of preventing – for example, an employee stealing PHI for personal gain. However, the implementation and use of HIPAA compliance software can help demonstrate an organization’s good faith efforts to be compliant when regulators investigate a data breach.

What features should be included in the best software for HIPAA compliance?

The features that should be included in the best software for HIPAA compliance include features to help develop, implement, and maintain HIPAA policies and procedures, track staff training, ensure appropriate safeguards are implemented, and allow the customization of policies, procedures, and documentation. The best software for HIPAA compliance should also assist with the management of business associates and be supported by knowledgeable and available compliance experts.

Is there an officially recognized HIPAA compliance certification for software?

There is no officially recognized HIPAA compliance certification for software. However, some companies issue HIPAA compliance certifications to vendors who have demonstrated compliance with HIPAA by implementing measures to comply with the Security and Breach Notification Rules, and who have developed software with the capabilities to support HIPAA compliance by users.

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What Is The Best Healthcare Compliance Software?

Posted by Ian

The best healthcare compliance software is a comprehensive management tool, that helps chief compliance officers to effectively oversee compliance efforts across all their organization’s facilities, by proactively managing risks, streamlining workflows, improving collaboration, and demonstrating the achievement of compliance objectives to stakeholders.

What Are The Benefits Of Healthcare Compliance Software?

For the chief compliance officer of an organization, the benefits of using healthcare compliance software  that are:

1. Streamlined Workflow: Compliance software automates many administrative tasks related to compliance management, such as tracking compliance activities, scheduling self audits and managing documentation. This saves time and reduces manual effort.

2. Increased Visibility: Compliance software provides real-time visibility into compliance activities, allowing the chief compliance officer to monitor progress, track key metrics, and identify areas that require attention. This increased visibility enhances the CCO’s ability to effectively oversee compliance efforts across the organization, reducing the likelihood of compliance failures.

3. Enhanced Reporting Capabilities: Regulatory compliance software offers customised reporting and analytics, allowing the chief compliance officer to generate detailed reports on compliance activities, performance metrics, and audit findings. These reports help communicate compliance efforts to senior management, regulators, and other stakeholders effectively, and showcasing a commitment to compliance excellence.

4. Centralized Documentation Management: Healthcare compliance management software provides a centralized repository for storing and managing compliance-related documents, such as policies, procedures, training materials, and audit reports. This centralization ensures that all relevant documentation is organized, up-to-date, and easily accessible when needed.

5. Improved Collaboration: Compliance software facilitates collaboration and communication among compliance team members, stakeholders, and other departments within the organization. This improves coordination and alignment on compliance initiatives, enhancing the chief compliance officer’s ability to drive compliance culture and initiatives across the organization.

6. Reduced Failure Risk: By automating compliance processes, providing real-time visibility into compliance activities, and facilitating proactive risk management, the best healthcare compliance software helps compliance officers minimize compliance risk and mitigate potential compliance failures.

What To Consider When Purchasing Healthcare Compliance Software?

How to make a decision about HIPAA compliance softwareBy following our buyer’s guide framework, you can make a thorough assessment of the best healthcare compliance software options and select the most suitable solution to support your organization’s compliance objectives. There are three aspects to consider when purchasing healthcare compliance software which are discussed in detail below:

1. Essential Functionality

2. Software Specifications

3. Business Considerations

1. What Essential Functionality Is Required For Healthcare Compliance Software?

The best healthcare compliance software solution should include functionality to identify and manage risk, report and track incidents, educate employees, manage vendors, and it should include sophisticated reporting that demonstrates in real-time that all compliance objectives are being met across all the organization’s facilities.

Any solution worth consideration needs to be a flexible all-in-one compliance system that follows a recognized framework like the OIG-HHS Seven Fundamental Elements Of An Effective Compliance Program. Because all organizations are different, it should offer both a prebuilt approach and fully customizable options.

The following essential functionality will allow you to confidently address your organization’s compliance requirements:

1. Risk Assessment

  • Risk assessment tools
  • Risk scoring
  • Gap identification
  • Remediation planning

2. Policies & Procedures

  • Templated and customisable policies and procedures
  • Policy and procedure management
  • Central storage of policies and procedures

3. Employee Training

  • Train, track and manage HIPAA compliance training for employees
  • Up-to-date HIPAA compliance training modules
  • Personized, individual employee training certificates

4. Vendor Management

  • Identify and track business associates
  • Customisable business associate agreement templates
  • Store and track business associate agreements

5. Incident Response

  • Anonymous incident reporting for employees
  • Breach incident reporting
  • Breach management tools

5. Reporting

  • Customisable reporting templates including reports to demonstrate compliance to stakeholders or regulators
  • Centralized documentation storage
  • Audit logging and reports

Healthcare Compliance CategorieWhat other features should you consider for your HIPAA compliance solution?

Consider if you also need OSHA (Dental or Medical) and SOC 2 compliance, and if so, ensure your chosen software can provide this as an all-in-one healthcare compliance solution.

2. What Are The Software Specifications To Consider For HIPAA Compliance Solutions?

Software specifications are aspects of a solution, such as usability or scalability, that are not about specific functionality but describe the broader qualities of the software. Specifications will help inform your decision when comparing HIPAA compliance software solutions.

1. Ease Of Use

  • Assess the software’s overall user experience, including the user interface and navigation around the solution.
  • Does it have an intuitive interface that includes guided workflows for conducting compliance activities? This is vital to make it easier for individuals without deep compliance expertise to navigate the compliance process.
  • How user-friendly are the training modules that employees will be required to take as part of the organization’s compliance?

Best HIPAA Compliance Software Dashboard

2. Scalability & Flexibility

  • Can the software accommodate your organization’s current scale, for example, to manage multiple locations?
  • Can it scale up and adapt to your organization’s evolving future needs?

3. Integration Capabilities

  • How will the software integrate with your existing IT infrastructure and the other third-party applications used within your organization?
  • Cloud-based solutions are the easiest to implement, and have the advantage that ongoing infrastructure maintenance is the responsibility of the software vendor.

4. Future Proofing

  • How will the software vendor address regulatory changes and updates to ensure ongoing compliance in a timely manner?

3. What Are The Business Considerations When Choosing HIPAA Compliance Software?

You may find that when evaluating functionality and specifications, a favoured vendor will emerge and you feel ready to award them the business right away. It is highly recommended that you don’t allow yourself to be pressured into a fast decision before fully examining the commercial and business considerations.

1. Vendor Reputation

  • Is the software endorsed by any medical associations?
  • Do they have current case studies and testimonials from other healthcare organizations that have successfully implemented the software?
  • It is always a good idea to request references i.e. to directly speak with existing customers about their experiences with both the software and the vendor.

2. Vendor Training & Support

  • Does the vendor offer live support to guide you through the setup of their HIPAA compliance software solution?
  • Is there a separate cost for this, or is it included in the price?
  • After setup what ongoing support is offered and it is this included in the vendor’s annual charges?

3. Costs

  • Look for a transparent breakdown of pricing structures, including initial setup costs, licensing fees, and any additional charges for support or updates.
  • Is there a one-time purchase cost or is it a subscription-based model? Subscriptions have become the most common way to purchase cloud based software.
  • If cost is an issue and it appears that the solutions on your shortlist are similar, ensure you create a price comparison table taking all factors into account, such as extra costs for training or support. For example, if HIPAA training is included or not.
  • Does the vendor offer discounts? For example, they may offer a group discount for an association you may already be a member of. It’s always worth asking as often this can be 15% or more off the list price annually.

4. Free Trial Or Money Back Guarantee

  • A full demonstration may be enough to help you make your decision, but sometimes a short trial period can be helpful if you have any doubts. It also allows you to ask your colleagues take a look before a final decision is made.
  • Not all software is suitable for a free trial because of the effort required for the setup by both vendor and the customer. In this scenario you could ask for a guarantee that if you are not satisfied you have the option to back out of the agreement within a certain period like 30 days.

5. Software Licence Period

  • What is the commitment period you are signing up for? Is it month-by-month or year-by-year. Is there a minimum period such as three or five years? Read the small print on any agreement.
  • The advantage with shorter periods is that onus is on the software vendor to ensure you are kept happy because they won’t want you to cancel. Alternatively, if you are willing to sign up for a longer period then the annual costs may be reduced.

Buyers Guide Best HIPAA Compliance SoftwareFree Buyer’s Guide

We have compiled a free buyer’s guide to choosing HIPAA compliance software that includes a checklist for the three aspects discussed in this article. This can be downloaded by filling in the form on this page.

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What Is The Best HIPAA Compliance Software?

Posted by Ian

The best HIPAA compliance software is an effective compliance management tool that helps a covered entity navigate the complexities and stringent requirements of  HIPAA compliance.

The vast majority of healthcare organizations in the USA do not employ a professional compliance officer and HIPAA compliance falls to an administrator or practice manager. This guide is aimed at these people. If you are a compliance professional then please see our guide to Healthcare Compliance Software (Ian add hyperlink).

What Are The Benefits Of HIPAA Compliance Software?

  • Remove the complexities and stress of compliance
  • Reduce risk
  • Increase patient loyalty and the profitability of your business

What To Consider When Purchasing HIPAA Compliance Software?

There are three aspects to consider when purchasing a HIPAA compliance software solution.

  1. Key Features or Functionality
  2. Key Components
  3. Commercial Considerations

This guide is divided into three sections covering these separate aspects requiring consideration. By following this buyer’s guide framework, the organization can make a thorough assessment of available HIPAA compliance software options and select the most suitable solution to support their compliance efforts effectively.

1. What Are The Key Features Of HIPAA Compliance Software?

The software helps healthcare providers to implement robust measures, such as encryption, access controls, auditing, and regular risk assessments. By centralizing and automating the compliance process, HIPAA compliance software optimizes data protection efforts, mitigates potential breaches, and fosters a culture of compliance within the healthcare industry.

  • Security risk assessment
  • Gap identification
  • Remediation plans
  • Proper storage of HIPAA policies and procedures
  • Employee training
  • Business Associate Agreements
  • Breach incident reporting
  • Risk assessment tools
  • Policy and procedure management
  • Access controls and user management
  • Incident response and breach management
  • Audit logging and reporting capabilities
  • Encryption and data protection measures

What other features should you consider for  your HIPAA compliance solution?

A lot goes into a healthcare compliance program, and our solution helps automate the process. Whether you need HIPAA, OSHA, SOC 2, or all three, your compliance program is fully customizable.

Our software has everything you need for compliance: templated policies and procedures, risk assessments, comprehensive training for your entire staff, vendor management, incident reporting, and more. No matter your needs, our software provides guided action items to meet your requirements with ease.

Solve healthcare compliance challenges quickly and confidently with simplified software. . Endorsed by top medical associations, clients can be confident in their compliance program.

2. What Are The Key Components Of HIPAA Compliance Software?

Scalability and Flexibility

Considerations regarding the scalability of the software to accommodate the organization’s growth and evolving compliance needs.

Integration Capabilities Examination of the software’s ability to integrate with existing IT infrastructure and other third-party applications used within the organization.

 

3. What Are The Commercial Considerations When Choosing HIPAA Compliance Software?

Do they offer comprehensive help setting up their HIPAA compliance software for you?

Do they offer a free trial period?

Do they offer discounts? For example, for an association you may belong to already.

Vendor Reputation and Support:

  • Research on the vendor’s reputation within the healthcare industry and their track record in providing reliable software solutions.
  • Availability and responsiveness of customer support services, including training resources, technical assistance, and ongoing maintenance.
  1. Cost Considerations:
    • Transparent breakdown of pricing structures, including initial setup costs, licensing fees, and any additional charges for support or updates.
    • Comparison of pricing models (e.g., one-time purchase vs. subscription-based) and considerations of long-term affordability.
  2. Case Studies and Customer References:
    • Review of case studies or testimonials from other healthcare organizations that have successfully implemented the software.
    • Requesting references to directly speak with existing customers about their experiences with the software and vendor.

 

The post What Is The Best HIPAA Compliance Software? appeared first on HIPAA Journal.

Cyber Security for Healthcare: USA Summit

Posted by Ian

The HealthSec: Cyber Security for Healthcare Summit returns for its 2nd edition in Boston, Massachusetts on June 12th – 13th!

As operations in healthcare and life sciences industries are becoming increasingly digitized and internet-connected, the attack surface is expanding and cybersecurity risks are growing.

In the light of this, healthcare security leaders from across the hospitals & healthcare systems, healthcare equipment and services, medical devices, pharma and biotech industries are preparing to gather at the summit to learn how to protect their sensitive data from cyber attacks.

CPD certified event

This CPD certified event is your chance to unite with cybersecurity leaders from the likes of Abbott, GSK, Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson through interactive sessions, as well as 6+ hours of networking, including seated lunches and a drinks reception.

Over 2 days, you’ll learn how to build resilience, mitigate risks and strengthen your cybersecurity strategy to combat new and ongoing threats through thought leadership talks, in-depth case-studies, panel discussions and roundtables. See list of speakers

Agenda highlights include:

  • A Culture of Shared Responsibility Between HDOs and MDMs: What It Looks Like, and How to Achieve It
  • How to Effectively Address Third Party Risk Management Pain Points in Healthcare
  • Case Study: Surviving a Ransomware Attack -Lessons Learned from the Healthcare Industry
  • Streamlining Regulatory Compliance in Healthcare: How Do We Get There?

For 15% discount on passes, register now using the code “HIPPA” at registration online here.

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