Welcome back to the Compliance Blog!
We are happy to have you here for the March 2024 Compliance Blog! This month, we are talking about HealthPoint’s ongoing HIPAA Security Program!
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Let’s talk about our HIPAA Security Program!
As part of HealthPoint’s ongoing HIPAA Security Program, Brian Thurston and Katherine Hall (the HIPAA Security and Privacy Officers) are sending out quarterly HIPAA reminders. To kick off 2024, let’s discuss the changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule going into effect this year.
Prior to 1996, there was no federal law protecting the privacy of medical records in the United States. This also meant that there was no uniform way to request or obtain medical records. In 1996, Congress passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (which is where we get the acronym HIPAA!) to outline how records are accessed, managed, and secured. While this act was a huge step forward, there have been updates almost annually as technology has increased in the healthcare world, and as new issues have arisen.
Changes occuring this year!
Below is a summary of the changes that are occurring this year, and what they mean:
- First, there were several amendments that introduced a series of measures to expand patient privacy. These new amendments will require us to have even more robust safeguards for patient information.
- Second, the amendments included many new cybersecurity requirements that aim to protect healthcare organizations from cyber-attacks such as enhanced encryption requirements, mandated risk assessments, and incident response plans.
- Finally, in 2023, we saw amendments that changed how patients access their personal information, and to remove many barriers to this. In 2024, we see enhanced breach notification requirements, and requires healthcare organizations to have a comprehensive breach plan in place should a breach happen.
We are Here to Help!
As always, if you have any questions about this material, please reach out to either Brian Thurston (Bthurston@healthPoint-tx.com) or Katherine Hall (KHall@healthpoint-tx.com).
