Ensuring compliance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) is critical for organizations handling Protected Health Information (PHI) and Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). These regulations establish the necessary policies, procedures, and security controls to safeguard patient data and mitigate risks related to breaches and unauthorized access.
Our HIPAA compliance services help organizations validate their ability to meet these stringent requirements, whether you’re preparing for an audit, implementing security controls, or developing a healthcare application that must align with HIPAA from day one.
Our HIPAA Compliance Services
HIPAA Readiness Assessment – Evaluate your current security, privacy, and administrative safeguards to identify gaps and determine your compliance posture.
Policy & Procedure Development – Create customized policies and procedures that align with HIPAA and HITECH regulatory requirements.
Control Design & Implementation – Develop and implement security controls to protect PHI and ePHI across your systems, applications, and workflows.
HIPAA Risk Assessment – Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities and ensure proper safeguards are in place.
Application Security & Compliance – Assist in designing HIPAA-compliant security controls during the early stages of application development, ensuring built-in protection for PHI and ePHI.
Whether you're a healthcare provider, business associate, or software company handling PHI, our team provides expert guidance to help you achieve and maintain HIPAA compliance while enhancing security and reducing risk.
HIPAA Compliance Services
Frequently asked questions
What is HIPAA and why does it matter to my organization?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a U.S. law that sets national standards for protecting sensitive patient health information (PHI). If your organization handles PHI, you must comply to avoid legal penalties, reputational damage, and security risks.
How should PHI be stored and transmitted?
PHI should always be encrypted in storage and in transit. Access should be limited to authorized individuals, and strong authentication methods (like MFA) should be used. Physical copies must be stored securely, with access restricted and disposal handled via secure shredding or destruction.
What counts as Protected Health Information (PHI)?
PHI is any information that can be linked to a specific individual’s health, treatment, or payment for healthcare. This includes names, addresses, medical records, billing information, lab results, and even indirect identifiers like IP addresses when tied to a patient.
What do employees need to know about HIPAA compliance? Employees should understand:
● What PHI is.
● How to access and use PHI only for job-related purposes.
● How to report a suspected HIPAA violation or data breach.
● That sharing PHI improperly (even unintentionally) can result in serious penalties.
Who must comply with HIPAA?
● Covered Entities: healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses.
● Business Associates: vendors or contractors who handle PHI on behalf of a covered entity (e.g., cloud storage providers, billing companies, IT consultants).
What happens if there is a HIPAA breach?
Organizations must follow breach notification rules, which may include notifying affected individuals, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and in some cases, the media. Penalties for non-compliance range from fines to criminal charges.
What’s the difference between the HIPAA Privacy Rule and Security Rule?
● Privacy Rule: governs when and how PHI can be used or disclosed.
● Security Rule: sets standards for securing electronic PHI (ePHI), including access controls, encryption, and audit logging.
How often should HIPAA training and risk assessments be done?
● Training: at least annually, plus whenever new policies or systems are introduced.
● Risk Assessments: at least once per year, and whenever major changes to systems, vendors, or processes occur.
What is a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)?
BAA is a legally binding contract between a covered entity and a business associate. It requires the business associate to safeguard PHI in accordance with HIPAA standards. Without a BAA in place, sharing PHI with a vendor is a compliance violation.
What are common examples of HIPAA violations?
● Losing an unencrypted laptop or mobile device containing PHI.
● Sharing PHI over unsecured email.
● Employees accessing patient records without authorization.
● Discussing PHI in public areas.
● Failing to sign a BAA with a vendor that handles PHI.