HIPAA Expert Advice Articles

A healthcare clearinghouse serves as an important intermediary in the exchange of electronic health information within the healthcare system. Acting as a centralized hub, a…

A HIPAA violation involves a range of infractions that breach the regulations stipulated by HIPAA regarding the safeguarding of protected health information (PHI). This includes…

HIPAA was enacted in 1996, marking an important milestone in healthcare regulation within the United States. This legislation was introduced with the goal of addressing…

A HIPAA violation in the workplace constitutes a breach of the regulatory standards outlined in the HIPAA, specifically concerning the protection of protected health information…

The HIPAA Privacy Rule represents a foundational component of healthcare regulation in the United States, setting in-depth standards for safeguarding individuals’ protected health information (PHI)….

The purpose of HIPAA involves several key objectives aimed at improving the healthcare system. HIPAA seeks to safeguard the privacy and security of individuals’ protected…

A covered entity under HIPAA includes healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses that engage in electronic transactions involving individually identifiable health information. Healthcare providers…

Protected Health Information (PHI) comprises any individually identifiable health information that is maintained or transmitted by covered entities. This involves a wide range of data,…

Protected Health Information (PHI) involves a broad range of individually identifiable health data maintained or transmitted in any form or medium, inclusive of but not…

It is possible to report a HIPAA violation anonymously by submitting a complaint to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights…

As of January 2022, OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service, does not possess a dedicated HIPAA compliance certification, Microsoft does offer a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement…

Google Chat does not meet the standards for HIPAA compliance due to its lack of specific security features and assurances required to safeguard protected health…

Slack has the capability to meet the requirements for HIPAA compliance when configured with the appropriate security protocols and safeguards. To achieve HIPAA compliance, organizations…

Though the new HIPAA regulations presented in the Final Omnibus Rule of 2013 didn’t change much of the current HIPAA Security and Privacy Rules, there…

Azure offers services and features that can be used in a HIPAA-compliant manner, but achieving compliance requires proper configuration, implementation of appropriate security measures, and…

While HIPAA regulations do not specify an exact frequency for ongoing security and privacy training after the initial session, industry best practice is to conduct…

The enforcement of the Administrative Simplification requirements falls under the jurisdiction of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within the U.S. Department of Health and…

HIPAA mandates strict requirements for the protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI) through strong encryption measures. Covered entities and their business associates must implement…

Nurses who violate HIPAA may face strict penalties, involving both civil and criminal consequences, outlining the importance of upholding patient confidentiality and safeguarding protected health…

HIPAA was enacted with the primary aim of addressing several important aspects within the healthcare sector. Its introduction sought to improve the efficiency and efficacy…

After an accidental HIPAA violation occurs, the responsible party typically undergoes a thorough investigation by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the federal agency tasked…

Under HIPAA, the distribution of patient information on social media platforms is strictly prohibited. HIPAA establishes strict confidentiality and privacy safeguards for individually identifiable health…

HIPAA outlines specific rules for the retention of records in the healthcare sector. Covered entities, including healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, are mandated…

HIPAA sets in-depth guidelines to safeguard electronic protected health information (ePHI) and requires covered entities and business associates to implement robust security measures, including secure…

HIPAA outlines strict guidelines to safeguard the confidentiality and security of protected health information (PHI), and violations of these provisions can manifest in various forms….

PHI of a deceased individual is safeguarded for a period of 50 years following their death, after which the information is no longer considered PHI…

The consequences for breaching HIPAA regulations are varied and carry strict legal and financial ramifications. Civil penalties for non-compliance can result in monetary fines levied…

In compliance with the HIPAA, healthcare providers must adhere to specific rules when telephoning patients to ensure the confidentiality and security of patients’ protected health…

A HIPAA Compliance Officer plays an important role within an organization by orchestrating the development and execution of policies and procedures aimed at achieving and…

While Google Drive, as a standalone service, does not inherently adhere to HIPAA standards, Google offers a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for its Google Workspace…

The act of texting is not prohibited by HIPAA, but the transmission of protected health information (PHI) via unsecured text messaging platforms without appropriate safeguards…

Zoom can be utilized in a manner compliant with HIPAA when specific precautions are taken. Healthcare providers seeking to use Zoom for telehealth sessions or…

Healthcare entities and their business associates are mandated under HIPAA to promptly report any breaches of protected health information (PHI) to maintain compliance with federal…

The responsibility for enforcing HIPAA lies with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), an entity operating within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services…

Reporting a HIPAA breach necessitates adhering to strict guidelines outlined in the HIPAA regulations. Upon discovering a breach, individuals or organizations are obligated to promptly…

Non-compliance with HIPAA can result in a range of penalties, both civil and criminal, reflecting the gravity of the HIPAA violation. Civil fines for HIPAA…

As of January 2022, Skype does not inherently meet the requirements for full compliance with the HIPAA. HIPAA mandates strict privacy and security standards for…

For HIPAA compliance, a dentist office must implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect patient health information, such as conducting regular risk assessments, training…

Under HIPAA, emailing patient names is permitted, provided that strict measures are in place to safeguard the confidentiality and security of protected health information (PHI)….

HIPAA certification, as a formal designation, does not exist within HIPAA. Despite this, ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations is necessary for entities handling protected health…

HIPAA rules for electronic signatures necessitate strict adherence to the Security Rule, which mandates that electronic signatures be safeguarded through measures such as encryption and…

Facebook Messenger does not meet the standards for HIPAA compliance, primarily due to its lack of encryption and other necessary safeguards for securely transmitting protected…

HIPAA holds importance in healthcare by establishing and enforcing national standards for the protection of individuals’ sensitive health information. Enacted to address the evolving challenges…

Dentists are mandated to adhere to various regulations outlined in HIPAA. These regulations concern safeguarding protected health information (PHI) by ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and…

HIPAA-covered entities involve organizations and individuals within the healthcare sector who play a role in managing protected health information (PHI) and are bound by the…

HIPAA Compliance represents an important framework within the United States healthcare system, meticulously designed to uphold the confidentiality, integrity, and security of individuals’ sensitive health…

Patients have the legal right to sue a hospital for a HIPAA violation. In the event of improper disclosure or mishandling of protected health information,…

Dropbox does not inherently assert full HIPAA compliance, yet it does provide a pathway for HIPAA compliance through a specialized addendum tailored for Business and…

Yes, DocuSign is HIPAA compliant, providing appropriate safeguards like encryption and access controls to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of electronic protected health information (ePHI),…

Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, covered entities are required to provide an accounting of disclosures, which is a detailed record of when and to whom…

Yes, SharePoint can be HIPAA compliant when used correctly, as Microsoft offers a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) and includes necessary security measures like encryption and…

Texting, in its standard form such as SMS, is generally not considered HIPAA compliant due to its lack of encryption and inadequate safeguards against unauthorized…

PHI refers to any information in a medical record or designated record set, including demographic information, that can be used to identify an individual and…

No, iCloud is not HIPAA compliant because Apple does not sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) for iCloud, a critical requirement for HIPAA compliance, and thus…

Yes, Microsoft Office can be HIPAA compliant when used within the scope of a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) offered by Microsoft, provided that healthcare organizations…

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, builds upon…

Yes, an employee can indeed be fired for a HIPAA violation if their actions constitute a breach of patient privacy or security rules, as employers…

WhatsApp is not HIPAA compliant and cannot be used for sending individually identifiable health information except in emergency situations, when an individual authorizes a disclosure…

Yes, WebEx is HIPAA compliant when used with the appropriate configurations and safeguards, as Cisco offers a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for WebEx services, which…

Alexa, including its healthcare-specific skills, is no longer HIPAA compliant, as Amazon has discontinued its support for HIPAA compliance in Alexa skills, thereby making it…

FaceTime be considered HIPAA compliant under certain conditions, as it uses end-to-end encryption to protect data transmission, but healthcare providers must ensure that they obtain…

HIPAA compliance is of importance for healthcare specialists as it ensures the protection of patients’ sensitive medical information, maintains trust and confidentiality in doctor-patient relationships,…