What Are The 5 Main HIPAA Rules?

Healthcare entities have to follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, better known as HIPAA. This legislation includes various rules focusing on the privacy, security, and electronic handling of protected health information (PHI).

Among these are five principal rules essential for every healthcare worker to know. The objective of this article is to dive into the specifics of these five critical HIPAA rules and to address common questions regarding the law's impact on the healthcare sector. 

The Five Main HIPAA Rules 

The five main components of HIPAA are the following: 

1. Privacy Rule

The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national norms for safeguarding patients’ PHI. It outlines access standards that apply to both healthcare providers and patients. These standards encompass a set of health data privacy rules aimed at ensuring the confidentiality and proper handling of patient information. 

• The patient's right to access their PHI;
• The healthcare provider's right to access patient PHI;
• The healthcare provider's right to refuse access to patient PHI and
• Minimum required standards for an individual company's HIPAA policies and release forms. 

The HIPAA Privacy Rule ensures the protection of individual PHI and medical records, setting boundaries on how this information can be used and disclosed without patient consent. It grants patients the right to review, obtain, and amend their medical records. 

Associated with this rule are specific forms, including the Request for Access to PHI, Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP), Request for Accounting Disclosures, Request for Restriction of Patient Health Information, Authorization for Use or Disclosure, and the Privacy Complaint Form.

2. Security Rule

The HIPAA Security Rule establishes federal guidelines for handling electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), including its transmission. This rule encompasses safeguards across three domains: physical, technical, and administrative, to ensure the secure management of patient ePHI. 

The HIPAA Security Rule outlines three levels of safeguards for ePHI security: 

1. Administrative safeguards focus on establishing a HIPAA compliance team. 
2. Technical safeguards involve encryption and authentication methods to control data access. 
3. Physical safeguards protect electronic systems, data, and equipment within an organization. This rule also includes risk analysis and management protocols for hardware, software, and data transmission.

3. Transactions Rule 

This rule pertains to the specific transactions and coding systems employed in HIPAA transactions. It includes the use of various medical coding standards such as ICD-9, ICD-10, HCPCS, CPT-3, CPT-4, and NDC codes. The correct application of these codes is critical for maintaining the integrity, accuracy, and security of medical records and Protected Health Information (PHI).

4. Unique Identifiers Rule 

HIPAA designates three unique identifiers for entities in HIPAA-regulated transactions. These are the National Provider Identifier (NPI), a 10-digit number for healthcare providers in all HIPAA transactions; the National Health Plan Identifier (NHI), for identifying health plans and payers under CMS; and the Standard Unique Employer Identifier, equivalent to the federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), used to identify employer entities in HIPAA transactions.

5.  Enforcement Rule

The HIPAA Enforcement Rule outlines penalties for violations committed by covered entities or business associates. It covers violations in various areas: 

• Application of HIPAA privacy and security rules in healthcare;
• Establishing mandatory security breach reporting requirements;
• Accounting disclosure requirements;
• Restrictions on marketing and sales; and
• Restrictions that apply to any business associate or covered entity contracts. These contracts must be implemented before they can transfer or share any PHI or ePHI.

The rule, influenced by the ARRA HITECH ACT, applies to violations occurring before and after February 18, 2015. It broadens the scope of HIPAA Privacy and Security, intensifying penalties for infractions. 

This covers five main areas concerning covered entities and business associates: 

1. Application of HIPAA security and privacy requirements; 
2. Establishment of mandatory federal privacy and security breach reporting requirements; 
3. Creation of new privacy requirements and accounting disclosure requirements and restrictions on sales and marketing; 
4. Establishment of new criminal and civil penalties and enforcement methods for HIPAA non-compliance; and 
5. A stipulation that all new security requirements must be included in all Business Associate contracts. 

Digging Deeper: What Is the HIPAA Privacy Rule?

It's important to have a clear explanation of HIPAA rules to fully understand the extent of what HIPAA entails.

The HIPAA Privacy Rule, a key component of HIPAA Law, is dedicated to safeguarding Personal Health Information (PHI). It sets national guidelines for how covered entities, healthcare clearinghouses, and business associates must handle and secure PHI. 

This rule specifically focuses on protecting patient information utilized during healthcare services, ensuring its confidentiality and security.

Initially, HIPAA was enacted to maintain health insurance coverage for individuals transitioning between jobs. Since its inception in 1996, the act has undergone various modifications, expanding its scope significantly beyond its original purpose.

The enforcement of HIPAA Rules and Regulations falls under the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) within the Health and Human Services (HHS) division of the federal government. This ongoing enforcement has led to significant fines, sometimes exceeding $2 million, for organizations found non-compliant with HIPAA standards.

HIPAA, established in 1996, is a set of federal regulations designed to enhance the handling of Personal Health Information (PHI) by Covered Entities and Business Associates. 

It encompasses various aspects, including the HIPAA Privacy, Security, HITECH, and OMNIBUS Rules and the Enforcement Rule, which all Covered Entities and Business Associates are required to comply with. 

These regulations aim to secure and govern the use and sharing of PHI effectively.

By 2021, the HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued two rules under the 21st Century Cures Act. 

These rules promote interoperability and enhance patient access to their medical data. Aligned with President Trump's MyHealthEData initiative, they empower Americans to access their medical information, facilitating more informed healthcare decisions.

What Is Right of Access? 

The right of access, as detailed in the HIPAA Privacy Rule, allows patients to request access to their Protected Health Information (PHI) from healthcare providers. 

This right ensures that patients can obtain their medical and billing records, health plan details, and other decision-relevant data at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time frame.

The right of access initiative under HIPAA prioritizes enforcement against healthcare providers or plans that deny patients access to their information. While providers are not required to create new information, they must furnish existing information upon patient request. 

Patients have the right to ask for specific health information from their providers, enabling them to obtain the necessary data for their healthcare decisions.

What Is Not Covered in the HIPAA Privacy Rule?

The HIPAA Privacy Rule excludes certain types of PHI from the right of access initiative. Specifically, patients may not have access to certain information if it is not used by healthcare providers to make decisions about individuals.

This means while most PHI is accessible under the rule, there are exceptions based on the use of the information. 

Possible reasons information would fall under this category include: 

• Business planning 
• Patient safety activity records 
• Quality assessment and improvement 

Individuals don't have the right to access certain data under HIPAA if healthcare providers do not use that data for medical decision-making. This rule means that some types of information are excluded from the right-to-access provisions.

Information organized by a provider for use in civil or criminal proceedings, as well as data used for administrative actions or proceedings, does not fall under the standard category of PHI accessible under HIPAA's right of access.

An exemption to the right of access under HIPAA is applicable for mental health professionals. If they document or review the contents of an appointment and keep these records separate from the patient's main file, such documents do not fall under the patient's right of access.

Who Does Right of Access Affect? 

Understanding the right of access is crucial for certain groups who are subject to HIPAA regulations. Being aware of how it operates is important for these individuals or entities to prevent violations related to the right of access.

Here are some of the different types of people that the right of access initiative can impact: 

Patients

Under the right of access, patients are entitled to their medical records and other permissible documents. They must request this information from their healthcare provider. This right extends to all patients, irrespective of age or medical history. 

Additionally, in certain circumstances, patients can authorize others to access their PHI, meaning they are not the sole recipients of this information. 

Representatives

In cases where a patient prefers not to access their PHI directly, a representative can do so on their behalf. This is commonly seen with parents or guardians of minors under 18. Adults can also appoint someone, such as a power of attorney or healthcare proxy, to make medical decisions for them. 

While less frequent, a representative's role becomes crucial if a patient is unable to make decisions independently. 

Covered Entities

Covered entities under HIPAA responsible for providing access to medical records include several healthcare workers. Key examples of these entities are: 

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Pharmacies
• Psychologists
• Other providers
• Health insurance plans
• Government health plans 

Healthcare clearinghouses and healthcare business associates are also covered entities under HIPAA. While they are less likely to handle direct patient requests for medical records, it remains essential for these entities to comply with HIPAA regulations. 

Right of Access Violations 

There are various types of right of access violations under HIPAA, and like all HIPAA violations, they are taken very seriously. 

As a healthcare provider, it's crucial to avoid these violations. To do so, you can follow certain practices that ensure compliance with the right of access without breaching HIPAA compliance guidelines: 

• Conducting risk analyses
• Offering security awareness training to employees
• Controlling device and media access
• Encrypting electronic PHI (ePHI)
• Using a business associate agreement
• Implementing policies and procedures 

Neglecting certain practices can elevate the risk of right of access and broader HIPAA violations. Even with HIPAA certification, healthcare providers and their employees must continually engage in proactive measures to prevent such violations, as compliance is an ongoing responsibility. 

Who Might Violate Right of Access?

Right of access violations by covered entities can occur during either the granting or denial of access to PHI. Entities that have been found to violate this aspect include various types of healthcare providers, such as private practitioners, university health clinics, and psychiatric offices.

A right of access violation can occur in scenarios such as a healthcare provider attempting to access PHI without proper authorization to assist a patient. Similarly, a violation can happen if PHI is disclosed to an unauthorized individual, such as someone falsely claiming to be a patient's representative.

Another form of violation is when a provider unjustifiably denies a patient access to their own records. While there are specific instances where denial is permissible, these are less frequent compared to situations where patients are entitled to access their records.

How to Prevent HIPAA Right of Access Violations

Medical providers and other covered entities can adopt specific measures to mitigate or avoid HIPAA right of access violations. Whether in hospitals, clinics, or health insurance companies, adherence to these preventive steps is crucial. 

Implementing them is straightforward, helping to safeguard not only the entity but also all parties involved. These steps are simple enough to be easily integrated into daily operations, providing no excuse for non-compliance. 

Implement Safeguards

Implementing specific safeguards is an effective strategy to reduce right of access violations. As outlined in the HIPAA Security Rule, these safeguards, which can be physical, technical, or administrative, are designed to protect PHI and limit access to authorized persons only. 

For instance, physical safeguards might include using keys or access cards for areas with records, technical safeguards could involve usernames and passwords for electronic data, and administrative safeguards might encompass staff training and the development of security policies.

Verify Right of Access

Before allowing a patient or their representative access, it's crucial to confirm their identity. While HIPAA doesn't prescribe specific verification methods, choose one suitable for your practice. This might involve requesting photo identification like a driver's license or verifying personal details over the phone. 

Ensure your method is uniformly applied by your team to consistently confirm the right of access and maintain clarity among staff members.

Use the Proper Format

Upon granting access, provide PHI in the format requested by the patient, whether electronic or paper. While you aren't required to use specific software or accommodate all format requests, you must reach an agreement with the patient on a feasible alternative, like a paper copy, if certain formats are unavailable. It's essential to ensure that the delivery of this information is secure and safe, whether in print or electronic form.

Know When to Deny

While rare, there are instances where denying patient access is permissible. This includes cases involving legal proceedings, ongoing research studies, or situations where disclosure might endanger someone's life or cause harm. Denial is also mandated when records are controlled by a federal agency under the Privacy Act or when information provided confidentially by a third party is involved.

Obtain HIPAA Certification to Reduce Violations

Obtaining HIPAA certification offers significant advantages for covered entities, such as enhanced knowledge and help in minimizing HIPAA violations. 

Regardless of whether you're a healthcare provider or involved in health insurance, certification is a valuable consideration. It equips you with the necessary skills to handle patient information and respond to access requests appropriately, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

HIPAA violations not only risk public exposure and damage to an organization's reputation, but they can also be financially burdensome. Beyond monetary penalties, the implementation of a HIPAA Corrective Action Plan (CAP) can be even more costly for an organization. 

For example, in June 2021, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) imposed a $5,000 fine on a healthcare provider for HIPAA infractions, illustrating the serious consequences of non-compliance.

Understanding HIPAA Violations 

Since its enactment in 1996, HIPAA has significantly altered medical practices, fundamentally changing how healthcare providers operate. Its crucial mandate is the secure and private handling of personally identifiable patient information, enhancing the safety of electronic health records. 

However, this has also led to imposing complex and sometimes challenging regulations on healthcare providers. Complying with HIPAA standards is estimated to cost the healthcare industry about $8.3 billion annually.

The HIPAA Act is divided into sections known as titles, with Titles I and II being the most pertinent. Title I covers the portability aspect of the Act, ensuring that insurance coverage isn't denied due to pre-existing conditions when individuals switch plans. 

This section has greatly impacted consumers. Title II, on the other hand, has had a significant influence on healthcare organizations, shaping many of their operational practices.

The Purpose Of HIPAA

Healthcare organizations are obligated to adhere to the provisions of Title II, which mandates that covered entities must establish reasonable and suitable safeguards to safeguard patient information. Part of these safeguards entails implementing administrative measures, such as workforce training and conducting risk analyses. 

Physical safeguards, another component of Title II, encompass security measures like access control, as well as technical implementations such as cybersecurity software. 

Overall, Title II mandates that organizations must guarantee the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of patient information while safeguarding against foreseeable security threats and preventing unauthorized uses and disclosures of patient data. 

Furthermore, the HIPAA Act necessitates that healthcare providers maintain compliance within their workplaces. Importantly, it doesn't prescribe particular measures, granting a degree of flexibility. 

Organizations are granted the autonomy to determine their methods of adhering to HIPAA guidelines in this regard. 

However, this flexibility can also lead to uncertainty, making it difficult to determine the precise methods for achieving HIPAA compliance. To illustrate this challenge, consider a brief example. 

As mentioned earlier, in June 2021, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) imposed a $5,000 fine on a healthcare provider for HIPAA infractions. Let's delve deeper into this incident. 

Current HIPAA Violations 

In May 2023, the OCR took its 19th action related to a patient's right to access. The subject of this action was a small specialty medical practice.

The fine was imposed by the office in response to the healthcare provider's failure to promptly provide a parent with access to her child's medical records. Ultimately, the OCR levied a financial penalty and recommended a supervised corrective action plan. 

The Diabetes, Endocrinology & Biology Center Inc. in West Virginia has agreed to comply with the OCR's stipulations, including paying the $5,000 fine and implementing the corrective action plan to prevent future HIPAA violations. 

The case originated from a complaint filed in August 2019, alleging that the center had not responded to a parent's request for access to records made in July 2019. Subsequently, the OCR investigated and found that the center had indeed violated the timely access provision, leading to the imposition of the fine and corrective measures. 

Top Causes of HIPAA Violations

Periodically, the Office for Civil Rights carries out audits to assess HIPAA compliance. In a recent instance, the OCR conducted audits on 166 healthcare providers and 41 business associates to evaluate adherence to HIPAA regulations.

HIPAA violations can arise from either a lack of awareness or negligence, and such violations can lead to substantial fines. These fines can vary significantly, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, and are determined by the severity of the violation. 

The OCR has the authority to levy fines per violation or issue a single fine for a sequence of violations. Additionally, fines may be accompanied by the implementation of corrective action plans.

During audits, several common types of HIPAA violations come to light. For example, the OCR may discover that an organization permitted unauthorized access to patient health information. 

Alternatively, they may find that an organization is neglecting to conduct organization-wide risk analyses. 

Another violation could involve a healthcare provider failing to engage in mandatory HIPAA-compliant business associate agreements. 

Additionally, an OCR fine may be imposed if a healthcare provider neglects to encrypt patient information stored on mobile devices. 

Lastly, audits often uncover instances where organizations do not correctly dispose of patient information.

Other HIPAA violations come to light after a cyber breach.

Types of HIPAA Breaches

HIPAA breaches are categorized into two main types. When a violation does not lead to the use or disclosure of patient information, it is classified by the OCR as "not a breach."

However, when a violation involves patient information, the OCR must determine whether it was intentional or unintentional. Accidental disclosure is still regarded as a breach but carries less severe penalties. On the other hand, deliberate disclosures are viewed very seriously by the OCR, resulting in more substantial fines for this type of breach.

Following a breach, the OCR typically identifies that the breach occurred in one of several common areas.

Lack of a Valid Risk Assessment

Risk analysis plays a crucial role in the HIPAA Act, serving as a vital component. The primary objective of this evaluation is to pinpoint potential risks to patient information. It stands as the initial step that healthcare providers must undertake to fulfill compliance requirements.

Sharing Patient Information

In this context, a healthcare provider may share information, whether it's intentional or unintentional. Regardless of the circumstances, healthcare providers must never disclose patient information to an unauthorized recipient. 

Unauthorized recipients could encompass coworkers, members of the media, or family members who lack the necessary authorization from the patient.

Unauthorized Viewing of Patient Information

Examining patient information for administrative purposes or providing healthcare is considered permissible. 

Nevertheless, straying from these two purposes by accessing patient records constitutes a violation of the HIPAA Act. Personnel should refrain from accessing patient records unless it is for a specific reason directly tied to the provision of medical treatment.

Improper Disposal of Patient Information

The HIPAA Act requires the secure disposal of patient information. Adhering to this regulation involves the proper disposal of data, hard drives, and backups and addressing data on stolen devices. Furthermore, it encompasses the secure destruction of physical copies of patient information.

Lack of Patient Access Controls

HIPAA regulations stipulate that healthcare providers are responsible for managing access to patient information. One effective approach for achieving this control is the implementation of multi-factor authentication. 

Employing multi-factor authentication is a strong starting point to guarantee that only authorized individuals can access patient records.

Lack of Encryption

This type of violation typically arises when a healthcare provider fails to encrypt patient information that is being transmitted over a network. Utilizing tools like VPNs, TLS certificates, and security ciphers allows for the digital encryption of patient information. 

Additionally, it's advisable to encrypt patient information that is not being actively transmitted to enhance security measures.

Breach Notification Compliance

Neglecting to inform the OCR of a breach constitutes a breach of HIPAA policy. It's essential to report any breaches within 60 days, as required by the HIPAA Act. Failure to do so results in a violation of this aspect of the HIPAA Act.

Improper Handling of Patient Information

Healthcare providers are obligated to transmit patient information through authorized channels. Staff members are prohibited from sending patient information via personal email accounts or printing patient information and removing it from the premises. Both actions are considered HIPAA violations.

Unauthorized Information Disclosure

Your staff members must refrain from disclosing patient information to unauthorized individuals, as such actions constitute a breach. It's important to note that the OCR temporarily relaxed certain aspects of HIPAA regulations during the pandemic.

Limited Access Logging

Organizations are required to maintain detailed records of who accesses patient information and track changes and updates to patient records. This documentation is crucial in the event of an audit by the OCR. 

Failure to provide this information during an audit can lead to HIPAA violations. However, it's worth noting that the OCR has relaxed some rules, particularly regarding data logging for COVID test stations, during the pandemic.

To avoid HIPAA violations, healthcare professionals must undergo HIPAA training as mandated by the HIPAA Act. This training is essential because HIPAA rules can be complex and somewhat ambiguous. 

Proper training ensures that all employees, including doctors, nurses, and anyone handling sensitive patient information, are knowledgeable about maintaining patient data's privacy and security.

HIPAA training equips your staff with a comprehensive understanding of compliance with the HIPAA Act, clarifying their roles in ensuring HIPAA compliance within your organization.

It’s essential to provide HIPAA training to your medical employees to mitigate risks. 

Violations can result in substantial fines, with the minimum fine for an intentional violation being $50,000. In severe cases, individuals could face a criminal offense penalty of up to $250,000, and your organization might be liable to pay restitution to the victim of the crime.

What Is HIPAA Certification?

Obtaining HIPAA certification demonstrates that your staff members are knowledgeable about and capable of complying with HIPAA regulations. In today's healthcare world, earning HIPAA certification is considered a necessary part of conducting due diligence.

It's important to note that HIPAA compliance rules are subject to continuous change, and there is no official pathway to obtain HIPAA certification. If a training provider claims that their course is endorsed by the Department of Health & Human Services, this is a false assertion.

Nonetheless, organizations can assert that they are "certified HIPAA compliant." This statement signifies that they have undergone third-party HIPAA compliance training and have taken proactive measures to adhere to HIPAA regulations. However, it's crucial to select a reputable and trusted HIPAA training partner to ensure that the training is comprehensive and up to date. 

What Is Considered Protected Health Information (PHI)?

Protected Health Information (PHI) refers to data that can be used to identify an individual patient or client. Examples of PHI include personal details such as a person's name, social security number, phone number, home address, or credit card information. 

Additionally, health-related information becomes PHI when it is used or disclosed during medical care. This category of health data, regulated by HIPAA, encompasses a wide range of information, from MRI scans to blood test results. 

When this health information is available in digital format, it is referred to as "electronically protected health information" or ePHI. Any form of ePHI that is stored, accessed, or transmitted falls under the guidelines established by HIPAA. 

It's important to note that HIPAA not only safeguards electronic health records themselves but also the equipment used to store them. This means that HIPAA regulations extend to personal computers, internal hard drives, USB drives, smartphones, or PDAs that are used to store, access, or transmit ePHI. 

The goal is to ensure the security and confidentiality of patient information across various devices and storage media.

Who Must Comply With HIPAA? 

HIPAA's safeguarding of health information hinges on the involvement of two distinct categories of organizations, known as either business associates or covered entities. Let's delve deeper into these two classifications:

Covered Entities

A covered entity refers to an institution responsible for the collection, generation, and transmission of PHI records. These entities are typically entities that directly engage with patients, such as healthcare providers (e.g., dentists, therapists, doctors, etc.).

When covered entities transmit a patient's health information in any format, they are obligated to adhere to HIPAA regulations. This can include sending the patient's PHI as referrals to specialists or forwarding it to insurance providers for billing purposes.

Business Associates

Business associates do not have direct contact with patients; instead, they handle the creation, reception, or transmission of a patient's PHI. These associates can encompass various entities, including medical transcription companies and legal professionals, among others.

Other examples of a business associate include the following:

• Accountants
• Cloud storage businesses
• Email hosting providers
• Faxing service companies
• Medical billing firms
• A monolithic power system
• Physical storage companies
• Professional shredding companies

Why Breached PHI Is Valuable

It's a common headline in newspapers worldwide: Hacking and other cyber threats are responsible for most of today's PHI breaches. But what makes PHI so appealing to modern data thieves?

To understand this attraction, let's compare stolen PHI data to stolen banking data. Stolen banking or financial data typically fetches a little over $5.00 on today's black market. In contrast, compromised PHI records are valued at more than $250 on today's black market.

The key difference lies in how quickly stolen data can be exploited. Stolen banking data must be used promptly, as victims usually notice the loss of their bank or credit cards immediately. They can then cancel their cards, giving cybercriminals very little time to make illegal purchases.

PHI data, on the other hand, holds higher value due to its longevity and limited capacity to change over extended periods. PHI data breaches often take longer to detect, and victims typically cannot alter their stored medical information.

Moreover, valuable information such as addresses, dates of birth, and social security numbers are susceptible to identity theft. Cybercriminals may use this information to obtain prescription drugs or medical treatment in the victim's name. All these factors make PHI data more enticing to cybercriminals. 

Best Way To Protect PHI 

Certainly, one of the most effective ways to prevent breaches of your ePHI and PHI is to establish a robust HIPAA compliance framework. This program should encompass various key components, including the following:

Written Procedures for Policies, Standards, and Conduct

HIPAA protection begins when business associates or covered entities develop their own documented policies and procedures. These policies can encompass a wide range of aspects, from employee conduct documentation to disaster recovery plans. The policies you establish must have a forward-looking perspective. 

Encourage your staff to contribute their insights and suggestions for any modifications. By seeking their input, your team will become more invested as your organization evolves.

Identify a Compliance Body

Hire a compliance specialist to oversee your security program. You have the option to designate this responsibility to either an individual or a committee.

Access to Information, Resources, and Training

HIPAA compliance is ineffective if your staff isn't well-informed about it. When new employees join the organization, have your compliance manager provide HIPAA training. 

Provide your team with access to the necessary policies and forms for safeguarding ePHI and PHI data. Continuous training should be in place to keep employees informed and up to date.

Audit and Monitor

Consider these tasks in a similar light to the regular maintenance of your vehicle. Just as your car requires routine maintenance, so does your HIPAA compliance program. Conducting regular program reviews ensures its relevance and effectiveness. 

Determine how often you want to audit your workplace and develop a follow-up plan for post-audit actions.

Automated systems can be valuable for planning future updates. Utilize automated notifications to remind you about policy updates or renewals. Grant access to these systems to your compliance officer or compliance team.

Enforcement

HIPAA mandates that organizations outline the precise measures they will take to enforce their compliance program. Communicate to your employees the methods through which your company's relevant policies will be disseminated. Inform them about upcoming training sessions for various procedures. 

Implement automated notifications to alert team members when your organization releases a new policy. This provides an opportunity to gather their input on the new policy.

Quick Response and Corrective Action Plan

A robust HIPAA compliance program should also encompass corrective actions designed to rectify any HIPAA violations. 

Your company's action plan should clearly outline the process for identifying, addressing, and managing compliance violations. This includes specifying who needs to be contacted and the disciplinary measures to be taken. 

The primary objective of this process is to rectify the issue at hand and make necessary adjustments to your current strategy to prevent future problems from arising.

For information on how to stay HIPAA compliant, sign up for one of our HIPAA courses. Start your journey with 360training today!