HIPAA and HITECH are two core security standards meant for protecting the integrity of health information. Passed in 1996 by the American Congress, HIPAA, which expands to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was further strengthened with the passage of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which was passed some 13 years later.
These legislations were conceived and fortified in the years in which the primary reason for their enactment: The growth of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) gained popularity and traction in the US healthcare system. As the use of EHR's became widespread; the need for protecting patient data (Protected Health Information or PHI) was felt acute as never before. These two Acts make it mandatory for Business Associates, Covered Entities and Health Plans to stay compliant with the provisions of this legislation. This is necessary because these BA's, CE's and health plans are sources of potential security threats to the data they store within them. Many hackers make conscious and persistent effort to hack data contained in these records. They can then make large amounts of money illegally by selling this confidential data.
Who are classified under BA's, CE's and health plans? HIPAA has a clear definition of which kind of service provider comes under the definition of each of these. Accordingly, Business Associates are the following: • Chiropractors • Clinics • Dentists • Nursing homes • Pharmacies • Psychologists
Now, who are Business Associates? • According to HIPAA and HITECH, the following are classified as Business Associates: • Organizations involved in billing • Organizations that store patient data • Clearinghouses in the healthcare sector • Organizations that deal with and publicize information relating to health • Gateways that handle electronic prescriptions • Sub-contractors that deal with PHI on behalf of BA's • Personal health records vendors
Health plans These are considered as part of health plans under HIPAA and HITECH: • Organizations that are in the business of health insurance • Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) • Health plans offered by companies to their employees • Government programs which pay for healthcare, like Medicare and Medicaid
HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solution
A reading of these definitions makes it clear that almost all players in the healthcare industry are part of HIPAA and HITECH. HIPAA and HITECH have provisions that each of these entities has to comply with and implement very thoroughly and strictly. In the event of failure to implement the provisions of these requirements, the BA, CE or health plan is levied a very hefty penalty. It is to avoid these embarrassments and expensive punishments that these entities need complete HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solutions.
These HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solutions are necessary to help these entities understand ways by which to prevent unauthorized entry into the sensitive PHI that they have with them. Another very important reason for which HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solutions are necessary is that under HITECH, which deals with patient medical records, allow third parties to access personal health information. This brings with it a high risk of information breach. To prevent this, entities need HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solutions.
HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solutions from NetZealous LLC
NetZealous LLC, a highly respected provider of professional trainings in the areas of regulatory compliance, human resources, healthcare and IT, has the right HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solutions for organizations that are regulated by the provisions of HIPAA and HITECH. Its experts have varied and deep experience in the field of healthcare records. NetZealous LLC’s HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solutions help organizations protect their vital patient information, failing which they could land in legal problems.
NetZealous LLC’s experts help these healthcare organizations understand the impact and meaning of the regulations that they have to comply with. Individuals who are in charge of protection of health-related data benefit immensely by these trainings, which are organized to clarify all areas of their doubt. These trainings are also very convenient to attend and benefit from.
NetZealous LLC’s HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solutions are offered through its webinars, seminars and in-house trainings and in-house consulting. Participants could take up the mode that suits them best. Participants that take part in NetZealous LLC’s HIPAA and HITECH Compliance Solutions can ensure that they have complete clarity on how to implement the core safeguards that are required as part of HIPAA and HITECH compliance: • Administrative safeguards • Physical safeguards • Technical safeguards • http://www.netzealous.com/