It’s no secret that HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a highly important topic for medical practices. While it may often be forgotten or swept under the rug, getting serious about HIPAA compliance can save your practice from costly fines and penalties associated with data breaches, inadequate risk assessments, and improper record-keeping.
So how does one go about getting serious about HIPAA compliance?
How Your Medical Practice Benefits From HIPAA Compliance
Besides the fines and penalties, the most important reason to get serious with HIPAA compliance is its ability to streamline processes seamlessly from paper to electronic records. Moreso, all of this ensures your reputation and even your livelihood stay intact.
When making that transition from paper to electronic records, it’s important to have a plan. That means considering the following questions:
- What data is most valuable?
- Are security measures up to date?
- What risks may be associated with accessing and storing this data?
- Are there any gaps in compliance that need to be addressed?
Good news—you don’t have to answer these questions alone. Having a compliance partner who is knowledgeable in the field and can ensure your office’s security is paramount.
Protect Your Patient’s Records, Protect Your Reputation
Imagine you’re a patient and you want to share your medical information with another doctor. HIPAA makes it possible for you to do that without having to worry about that info being shared with someone else. Moreover, HIPPA can ensure the following for patients:
- Privacy and security of their medical records
- Controls access to data
- Patients having the right to access their own medical records
- Ensuring accuracy of patient information so nothing is lost or miscommunicated
Medical information is a vulnerable thing, so it’s important that you take the necessary steps to protect your patients’ information and make sure they feel safe and secure. In return, your reputation will stay intact and the trust of your patients will remain.
Don’t Do it Alone—Get Serious About HIPAA Compliance
A complex and vital process such as compliance is no feat that should be done alone—you should get a compliance partner to help you. According to UpGuard, “As of November 2022, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has settled 126 cases of HIPAA violations for over $133 million”. Doing it alone leaves you at risk for data breaches and even costly fines with the OCR.
An experienced partner can provide customized solutions tailored to your unique needs and will assist with all aspects of the process from establishing your privacy and security policies to training your employees on how to properly handle patient data.
You don’t want to be left in a situation where you are scrambling to become compliant. You need a partner that can get serious and stay ahead of the process with you.
ISG is Your Partner in HIPAA Compliance
ISG is a compliance partner with extensive experience in the medical industry. Our team of professionals will be able to provide you with everything necessary for compliance and make sure that your practice is fully compliant.
We pride ourselves in taking a proactive approach, making sure all aspects are covered, and the process stays on track. That’s why we:
- Conduct risk assessments to ensure all areas are compliant
- Provide customized solutions tailored to your unique needs
- Train employees on how to properly handle patient data
- Ensure your office is HIPAA compliant and staying up-to-date with the latest regulations.
If you’re ready to get serious about HIPAA and make sure your office is fully compliant, contact ISG today. We’re here to help you every step of the way.