• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Call us today!  (888) 596-3998

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Landon Technologies, Inc.

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • IT SERVICES
    • MANAGED IT SERVICES
      • REMOTE IT SERVICES
    • CYBERSECURITY
    • IT SUPPORT
    • IT CONSULTING
    • BACKUP SERVICES
    • NETWORK SERVICES
      • NETWORK MAINTENANCE
    • DATA CENTER
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT

Mobile Menu

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • IT SERVICES
    • MANAGED IT SERVICES
      • REMOTE IT SERVICES
    • CYBERSECURITY
    • IT SUPPORT
    • IT CONSULTING
    • BACKUP SERVICES
    • NETWORK SERVICES
      • NETWORK MAINTENANCE
    • DATA CENTER
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Are Your HIPAA Compliance Efforts Healthy?

By //  by TechWriter Leave a Comment

Let’s address the (ahem …) hippo in the room. HIPAA compliance continues to be a real challenge for small and midsized businesses. Below we answer your questions regarding what is HIPAA Compliance.

What is hipaa compliance and why does your medical office need it?

HIPAA is an acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which has very specific rules and regulations around a patient’s health information.

Larger healthcare organizations – hospitals and insurance companies – have in-house information technology teams, but smaller businesses don’t have the same depth of IT help on hand. Yet they must abide by the same rules.

Risking a HIPAA violation can be costly. Fines reach up to $50,000 per occurrence.

Common violations include:

  • Leaving records unsecured. WellPoint didn’t secure an online health database and paid $1.7 million
  • Not encrypting data. The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary failed to encrypt physicians’ laptops, which led to a $1.5 million fine.
  • Loss or theft of devices containing personal health information (PHI). A pediatric practice in Massachusetts lost a flash drive and settled for a $150,000 fine.
  • Failing to train employees in HIPAA compliance. A Walgreens in Indiana breached a single patient’s privacy and paid her $1.44 million.
  • Disposing of records improperly. Affinity Health Plan paid $1.2 million after failing to erase the photocopier drives before returning them to the leasing company.
  • Releasing information without authorization. Phoenix Cardiac Surgery posted a patient’s appointment on an online calendar and paid $100,000.
  • Disclosing PHI to third parties who do not have access rights. A medical practice in Phoenix sent patient data over insecure email and was fined $100,000.

Tips for HIPAA Compliance

Be aware of HIPAA requirements. Smaller businesses can have a tougher time remaining up to date on technology and guidelines. But that doesn’t make them any less accountable for understanding HIPAA compliance. It’s important to do the research and get educated, or partner with an IT provider with the expertise to prevent possible violations.

Embrace encryption. If your business deals with any confidential information, encryption and firewalls are necessary. Prevent outside traffic from accessing your systems. Ensure data can’t be read if there is unauthorized access. If there is a breach, or a lost or stolen device, the HIPAA penalties are reduced if encryption is used.

Protect all your endpoints. Any mobile devices that have access to patient data need to be secured. With mobile device management, for instance, you can lock down and wipe lost or stolen devices.

Err on the side of caution. Employees gossiping over coffee in a dentist’s office could share patient information, or someone might be sending an email with unencrypted data, or a health announcement with recipient names visible. All these are HIPAA violations. Humans will make mistakes, yes, but it’s less likely if you educate about regulations and the importance of being careful.

Get a HIPAA Check-Up

HIPAA has been around since 1996. In 2005, regulators got more serious about electronic versions of PHI. Yet there are still some businesses out there with only a vague idea of what it means to be compliant.

Heavy hitters in healthcare already take HIPAA seriously. You should, too. So, you haven’t been audited yet, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be. A $50,000 HIPAA fine could make the difference in your business staying afloat another year.

HIPAA compliance is critical for many organizations. Set policies and procedures. Put in place security awareness training. Start using encryption and assess for risks.

Were hoping the information in this articles answers your question, what is hipaa compliance. Be proactive with your IT management. By working with IT security experts, you can stay on top of HIPAA and remain compliant. A managed services provider can assess risk, identify areas for improvement, and propose new tech.

Call us at 888-596-3998 to get your IT and access management policies in healthy shape.

Filed Under: Cybersecurity

Looking for immediate answers to your questions?

You May Also Be Interested In:

An image depicting a diverse team of professionals discussing technology solutions in a modern office setting.

How Information Technology Consulting Services Can Save Your Business Time and Money

Types of Malware

An In-depth Look at the Common Types and Characteristics of Malicious Software

An illustration showcasing a remote team collaborating on various IT tasks, representing the concept of remote managed IT services.

Maximizing Productivity and Security through Remote IT Management Solutions

A graphic illustrating a hacker launching a spear phishing attack with a targeted email and a victim unknowingly falling for the deception.

Examining the Growing Concerns and Countermeasures against Spear Phishing Attacks

An image depicting an IT support professional assisting a user with technical troubleshooting or providing guidance on technology-related matters.

What Can IT Support Services Do For You?

A group of professionals collaborating on IT infrastructure with a modern office backdrop.

How do you choose a Managed IT Services Provider?

A team of IT professionals collaborating on a digital infrastructure, symbolizing the support and expertise provided by outsourced IT support services.

Why Outsourced IT Support Services is so Important for Your Business

A team collaborating on IT infrastructure management with a modern office backdrop, representing the partnership with a managed service provider.

Why does your business need a Managed Service Provider?

windows-11-upgrade

Everything You Need to Know About Windows 11

Previous Post: « What G Suite Is and How It Helps Business
Next Post: Leakware Ransomware: Are You Protected? »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Our Popular Posts

  • How Information Technology Consulting Services Can Save Your Business Time and Money
  • An In-depth Look at the Common Types and Characteristics of Malicious Software
  • Maximizing Productivity and Security through Remote IT Management Solutions
  • Examining the Growing Concerns and Countermeasures against Spear Phishing Attacks
  • What Can IT Support Services Do For You?
  • How do you choose a Managed IT Services Provider?
  • Why Outsourced IT Support Services is so Important for Your Business
  • Why does your business need a Managed Service Provider?
  • Everything You Need to Know About Windows 11
  • Ways to Improve Your Cybersecurity

Footer

Landon Technologies, Inc.
221 N. Hogan St. #358
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Main: (904) 647-2248
Toll Free: (888) 596-3998
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

“More Knowledge,
More Experience”

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Jacksonville IT Services

IT Support
Managed IT Services
IT Company
Cybersecurity
Cloud Services
IT Consulting

Company Quick Links

About Us
Tech News
Contact Us
Why Us?
Testimonials
Home

Business IT Support Services

Atlanta • Dallas • Houston• Fort Lauderdale • Jacksonville • Los Angeles • Miami • NYC • Orlando Ormond Beach • Palm Coast • St Augustine • Savannah • Tampa

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Make a Payment
  • Blog
  • Sitemap
· Copyright © 2005-2023 · Landon Technologies, Inc. ·