HIPPA Compliance
Companies must follow specific steps to ensure that they are protecting the privacy and security of health information
Step 1Understand HIPAA Rules
Privacy Rule: Protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information (PHI).
Security Rule: Sets standards for securing electronic PHI (ePHI).
Breach Notification Rule: Requires covered entities to notify individuals and authorities if PHI is breached.
Omnibus Rule: Clarifies requirements for business associates and enhances enforcement.
Security Rule: Sets standards for securing electronic PHI (ePHI).
Breach Notification Rule: Requires covered entities to notify individuals and authorities if PHI is breached.
Omnibus Rule: Clarifies requirements for business associates and enhances enforcement.
Step 2Conduct a Risk Assessment
Perform a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities in handling PHI and ePHI. This assessment should cover all areas where PHI is stored, processed, or transmitted (both physically and electronically).
Step 3Implement Safeguards
Administrative Safeguards: Include employee training, access control policies, and incident response plans.
Physical Safeguards: Secure physical access to facilities, restrict device access, and ensure workstations are properly monitored.
Technical Safeguards: Use encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and secure communication methods to protect ePHI.
Physical Safeguards: Secure physical access to facilities, restrict device access, and ensure workstations are properly monitored.
Technical Safeguards: Use encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and secure communication methods to protect ePHI.
Step 4Prepare Policies and Procedures
Create or update policies covering how PHI is accessed, used, disclosed, and protected. These policies should also outline incident response procedures for data breaches.
Step 5Develop a Breach Response Plan
Create a formal breach notification plan to ensure that any breach of PHI is reported in a timely manner, in compliance with the HIPAA
Breach Notification Rule. This should include a process for informing affected individuals and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Breach Notification Rule. This should include a process for informing affected individuals and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Step 6Internal readiness for HIPAA Audits
Monitor and Audit Compliance
Step 7Prepare for HIPAA Audits
Maintain documentation of compliance efforts, including policies, risk assessments, and breach reports.
If audited, this documentation will demonstrate your organization’s commitment to HIPAA readiness.
If audited, this documentation will demonstrate your organization’s commitment to HIPAA readiness.
Step 8Coordination with External Auditors during audits
Engage External Auditors: Once the client is ready, coordinate with external auditors to begin the formal SOC 1 audit process.
Facilitate Audit Process: Assist with responding to auditor queries, ensuring proper access to evidence, and managing any issues that arise during the audit.
Facilitate Audit Process: Assist with responding to auditor queries, ensuring proper access to evidence, and managing any issues that arise during the audit.
We hand hold you through the entire HIPPA readiness and audit process
By staying prepared and maintaining continuous compliance, companies can minimize the risk of facing penalties during HIPAA audits.
