Essential HIPAA Facts for Managed Service Providers

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, it's crucial for organisations to maintain compliance and continually strive for performance improvement. One of the key tools in achieving this is through audits.

Audits serve as a means to vet healthcare organisations, ensuring they adhere to the necessary regulations and guidelines. They provide a roadmap for identifying the steps needed to enhance performance and meet compliance requirements.

However, the complexity of audits often proves challenging for many healthcare organisations, particularly those that are not well-equipped to handle their intricacies.

In the event of an attack or breach, organisations with over 500 employees, patients, or partners are required to report the incident to the Health and Human Services (HHS). Yet, there is currently no information available regarding a specific German organisation that incurred a $1.2 million fine for HIPAA violations in 2021.

To better navigate the complexities of audits, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are often the best choice. With their implementation of all necessary security measures, MSPs can provide event logs and reports detailing who accessed what and when through Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM).

For those seeking guidance on maintaining compliance, the ebook "The IT Pro's Guide to Minimizing Healthcare Compliance Risk" offers valuable insights into the functionalities essential to an IT management system.

A fundamental requirement for covered entities and Business Associates is a risk assessment. This assessment covers security policies, vulnerabilities, risks, and system threats, and a plan for protecting and securing ePHI (electronic Protected Health Information).

The HIPAA Omnibus Ruling has codified the requirement for a risk assessment for covered entities and Business Associates. In addition, encryption, while not explicitly required by HIPAA for data protection, is considered the only reasonable and viable way to meet HIPAA demands for ePHI protection.

Another crucial aspect is the implementation of a security incident response plan (SIRP). This plan outlines actions to be taken in case of a security breach or other security events, including tracking security events and documenting incidents.

Lastly, access safeguards and controls require a new approach to authentication and access management. This approach ensures that only those with the proper authority can access ePHI and related systems.

In conclusion, maintaining compliance in the healthcare sector is a continuous process that requires vigilance, adaptability, and a commitment to best practices. By understanding the importance of audits, risk assessments, and security measures, organisations can better protect themselves and their patients from potential breaches and ensure they are meeting the highest standards of care.