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Resource Center
Read, Watch, Learn
Welcome to our Resource Center, your go-to source for information and resources related to healthcare compliance. Here, you'll find a wealth of information designed to help you navigate the complex world of HIPAA compliance with ease.
Healthcare Compliance & HIPAA Articles
Cybersecurity Essentials: Patches and Policy Awareness
Remember back in 2017 when headlines screamed about the WannaCry ransomware attack? It wasn't just a distant tech problem; it brought parts of critical systems, like the UK’s National Health Service, to a grinding...
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When the Digital Becomes Dangerous: Understanding the Threat of Malware
It's a strange thought, isn't it? We buy baby monitors for peace of mind, wanting to keep a watchful eye on our little ones. Yet, there are unsettling stories—real cases—where hackers have wormed their way into...
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Combating Identity Theft in Healthcare: A Critical Responsibility
Healthcare organizations are the guardians of some of the most sensitive personal information: medical records, Social Security numbers, insurance details, and more. Imagine the devastating consequences...
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Cyber Tools: Your Secret Weapon for HIPAA Compliance
In today’s digital healthcare landscape, things can get a bit dicey. Imagine a cozy clinic suddenly facing a ransomware attack that locks them out of patient records for days. Not only did they have to pay...
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Cybersecurity & HIPAA: Protecting Patient Data from Digital Threats
We all have tons to do and very little time to do it. So when an extra security step like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) pops up, it doesn’t exactly make our day better—or move us any faster. We groan when...
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The HIPAA Security Officer: A Crucial Role in Protecting Patient Data
Let’s face it—cyber threats are everywhere, and healthcare organizations are prime targets. From ransomware attacks to data breaches, the risks to sensitive patient information are growing every day. That’s why having a...
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Securing Healthcare Data: Strategies to Protect e-PHI and Achieve Compliance
Have you ever wondered how your healthcare provider keeps your sensitive information secure? Protecting patient data isn’t just about compliance with regulations—it’s about maintaining trust, ensuring privacy, and delivering quality care. For...
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Understanding Accounting of Disclosures and Security Incidents Under HIPAA: What You Need to Know
When it comes to HIPAA compliance, few topics are more crucial—or more misunderstood—than Accounting of Disclosures and Security Incidents. These two areas lie at the heart of patient privacy and data security, affecting covered entities like doctors...
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Protecting Patient Data: A Deeper Look into Password Security and HIPAA Compliance
In healthcare, securing sensitive patient data isn’t just a responsibility; it’s a legal requirement under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). With the increase in cyber threats targeting healthcare, a fundamental aspect...
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HIPAA and Encryption: Fortifying Patient Data in the Digital Age
In the healthcare sector, protecting patient privacy is just as important as delivering quality medical care. As electronic health records (EHRs) and other digital tools become the norm, healthcare organizations must prioritize data protection. One of...
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Understanding Access Controls Under HIPAA: What Every Healthcare Worker Needs to Know
In today’s healthcare environment, protecting patient information isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a legal obligation. Whether you’re a medical assistant, nurse, doctor, dentist, front desk staff member, billing clerk, transcriptionist, or security...
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Fortifying HIPAA Compliance through Robust Physical and Workstation Security
Safeguarding patient information has never been more critical in an era of increasingly sophisticated data breaches and cyber threats. The healthcare sector, which relies heavily on electronic protected health information (ePHI), must adhere...
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Strengthening the Security Chain: The Critical Role of Business Associates and BAAs in HIPAA Compliance
The healthcare ecosystem thrives on collaboration, but when it comes to safeguarding patient privacy, the stakes are high. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes a comprehensive framework to protect...
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Securing Healthcare Systems: The Crucial Role of System Patches in HIPAA Compliance
Maintaining the integrity and security of patient information is paramount in the healthcare sector. Ensuring your systems are up-to-date with the latest patches is a vital aspect of HIPAA compliance and overall data security. This article...
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HIPAA Policies and Procedures: A Guide for Healthcare Organizations
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) safeguards patients' Protected Health Information (PHI). For healthcare organizations, adhering to HIPAA is both a legal requirement and an ethical obligation. This article dives...
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Malware Mayhem in Healthcare: Protecting Patient Privacy in the Digital Age
The healthcare industry thrives on sensitive information. Patient records brim with personal details, diagnoses, treatment plans – a treasure trove for malicious actors in the digital world. Malware, a catch-all term for malicious software...
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Identity Theft in Healthcare: Mechanisms, Impacts, and Preventative Strategies
Identity theft in healthcare not only compromises the financial stability of individuals but also poses a significant threat to the privacy and security of patient information, directly impacting healthcare providers' compliance...
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Harnessing Cybersecurity Tools for Enhanced HIPAA Compliance
In late February 2024, Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group (UHG), fell victim to a cybersecurity incident. The attack disrupted healthcare operations across the country, affecting hospitals, doctors, pharmacies...
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From Desktops to Smartphones: Building a Multi-Layered Defense Against Cyberattacks, Mobile Vulnerabilities, & Email/Texting Risks
As a dedicated healthcare professional, you're likely accustomed to using mobile devices and email for patient communication, as well as for interaction with colleagues and business associates. While adhering to data security best practices...
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Avoid Audits and Fines: Building a Proactive HIPAA Strategy with Security Officers, Incident Response, and Sanction Policy
If you work in the healthcare industry, you know how important it is to protect the privacy and security of your patient's health information. You also know how challenging it can be to comply with the Health Insurance Portability...
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Unveiling Accounting of Disclosures: A Crucial Element of HIPAA Compliance
If you are a healthcare provider, a business associate, or a patient, you may have heard of the term "accounting of disclosures" in relation to HIPAA. But what does it mean, and why is it important for HIPAA compliance? In this article, we will explain...
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Password Protection: How to Create and Remember Strong Passwords
Do you use passwords like "123456", "iloveyou", or your pet's name? If so, you are putting your online accounts and personal information at risk. Hackers can easily guess or crack these passwords and access your data...
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Reinvigorating Trust: A Fresh Perspective on Encryption & HIPAA Security
Let’s address the elephant in the room: articles on encryption, cybersecurity, and HIPAA compliance are abundant, often leading to a saturation of information. However, revisiting these topics with a fresh lens is critical as it directly impacts the...
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The HIPAA High-Wire: Balancing Patient Privacy with Access Controls
Ever felt that heart skip when you can't locate your phone in your bag or pocket? That surge of panic? It's just a fraction of what medical professionals feel when they sense a hint of vulnerability in patient data security. For our indispensable...
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Achieving HIPAA Compliance Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide
Maintaining HIPAA compliance is crucial for any organization dealing with protected health information (PHI). However, navigating the complex requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) can be a daunting task...
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How to Protect Yourself After the HCA Healthcare Data Breach
Imagine waking up one morning to a flurry of alerts and warnings— your data has been compromised. If you are one of the 11 million patients potentially impacted by the recent HCA Healthcare data breach, you don't have to imagine...
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Safeguarding Health: HIPAA, Physical Security, and Workstation Protection
"If privacy is boiling hot... HIPAA is the fire underneath," observes Mac McMillan, a seasoned health IT leader, and CEO of CynergisTek, a top cybersecurity consulting firm. Healthcare professionals and business associates like IT professionals...
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OCR's Strong Authentication Guide for HIPAA Compliance
Robust authentication measures enhance the security of electronic protected health information (ePHI), reduce the risk of unauthorized access or breaches, and demonstrate compliance with HIPAA's requirements for safeguarding patient information...
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HIPAA Mistakes and Misconceptions: Guide for Foreign-Educated Healthcare Workers
Healthcare workers in the United States must navigate the complexities of Protected Health Information (PHI) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This is especially true for healthcare workers who may not yet...
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Columbus Children's Hospital Exposed Employees to Workplace Violence
Columbus Children's Hospital in Ohio is under scrutiny following a recent investigation conducted by the US Department of Labor. The investigation revealed that the hospital failed to safeguard its employees, including nurses...
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Defending Patient Privacy: The Power of System Patches and HIPAA Security Policies
System patches are like digital shields that enhance security and optimize performance. They fix vulnerabilities and protect against evolving cyber threats...
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Streamline Healthcare Compliance - Top Easy-to-Use Solution and Review
Healthcare compliance is crucial to the smooth operations of healthcare organizations, and it is essential to comply with all relevant laws and regulations to avoid legal issues and maintain...
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5 Main Reasons for HIPAA Violations and Fines
Here are the top 5 reasons for HIPAA fines and violations that every Covered Entity and Business Associate should know:
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OSU-CHS Hit with $875K Penalty for HIPAA Violations: A Wake-Up Call for Healthcare Providers
Healthcare professionals, HIPAA Covered Entities, and Business Associates are all tasked with protecting the sensitive health information of patients. The recent $875,000 penalty imposed on OSU-CHS for HIPAA violations should serve as a wake-up call...
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5 Main Reasons for Medicare Violations and Fines
While Medicare is designed to ensure access to affordable healthcare, healthcare providers must adhere to strict guidelines to avoid violations and fines.
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Password Protection
Digitalization acceleration. With the advent of modernization and technology, we see digitalization as a valuable and convenient method of doing transactions in our daily life. For instance...
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Malware
As the need and dependency of people and businesses on computers, mobile gadgets, electronic data, and a variety of programs and applications consistently...
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How Encryption plays an important role in HIPAA Security
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has paid a $3 million HIPAA penalty to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...
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Security Incidents and Sanction Policy
• Forgotten to remove access of a departing employee?
• Forgotten to collect devices with potential PHI from departing employees?...
ID Theft and ID Protection
On March 23, 2021, acting United States Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced that according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2020 Internet Crime Report, South Carolinians lost more than...
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Embracing HIPAA Security at Home and at Work
We certainly live in interesting times. I mean, my mother that is 87 years old, received a tablet for her Christmas present. My three-year-old grandson uses his mother's cell phone...
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Do you have a Business Associate Agreement with your vendors?
Business Associates
In an ideal world, each healthcare provider (aka Covered Entity) has a...
Password Management in HIPAA Compliance
Does HIPAA mention anything about passwords?
Yes. Password and Password Management are explicitly stipulated in the following provisions:
First, under "Definitions" [45 CFR 164.304] of the "Security...
Access Controls
§ 164.312(a)(1)
Allow access to ePHI only to those granted access rights. Implementation specifications under Access Control...
What is Accounting of Disclosures?
Also known as Accounting of Disclosures of Protected Health Information, it is a mandate under 45 CFR § 164.528 of the Security and Privacy, Subpart E - Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information...
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CISA and AHA issue urgent warnings: CYBERTHREAT on US Healthcare Organizations
With the current critical and dangerous events unfolding, there is no avoiding discussion of unsettling threats – particularly cyber threats...
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IN A GLANCE: HIPAA Security Officer, Security Incidents, and Sanction Policy
Q: Is a HIPAA Security Officer necessary? Can we make do without having one? A: The short answer is "No."...
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Open Notes as Mandated by the 21st Century Cures Act: A Clinician's Condensed Guide
In 2016, the 21st Century Cures Act came into effect under President Obama; as of April 5th, 2021, the program rule on...
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HIPAA Physical Safeguards and Workstation Security
Physical Safeguards (45 CFR § 164.304) refers to physical measures, policies, and procedures to protect a covered entity’s or business...
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Do Business Associates have direct liability under HIPAA?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), issued a fact sheet enumerating a list of HIPAA...
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Is Encryption Essential in HIPAA Compliance?
“Encryption is a method of converting an original message of regular text into encoded text. The text is encrypted by means of an algorithm...
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System Patch Management Role in HIPAA Security
By this time you should have a basic understanding of cybersecurity, cyber attacks, cyber tools, and malware. If you need a refresher on these...
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The Flexibility of Approach Clause on HIPAA Policies and Procedures
The words "policies" and "procedure(s)" are not specifically defined in HIPAA. However, in the publication...
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Know what HIPAA says: Security Officer, Security Incidents, and Sanction Policy
Assigning a HIPAA Security Officer is one of the mandates of HIPAA as indicated in 45 CFR § 164.308 (a) (2). It specifically...
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Aetna to pay $1 million in fines plus Corrective Action Plan for HIPAA breaches according to OCR HHS findings
Aetna has entered into a resolution agreement with the Office of the Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...
View Details »You worry about your business. Let us take care of compliance. To learn more about HIPAA Healthcare Compliance and how we can help, please call:
877-560-4261 or contact us at any time.