Probably not, even if you completed an initial HIPAA risk assessment.
HIPAA preparedness is a perpetual task that constantly changes with new technology and data-sharing requirements – many of which did not exist when the rules were finalized.
We can help your practice get up to date and prepared for an audit by completing a thorough HIPAA risk assessment. Subscribe to stay current and up to date on important HIPAA compliance matters that will impact your practice. (To subscribe to our blog Click Here).
While threats of breaches can affect all businesses, healthcare entities and providers alone face additional threats of fines for failure to comply with HIPAA.
What’s the big deal?
The ONC is increasing enforcement efforts regarding HIPAA and other health information privacy and security laws.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) can issue large fines after performing an audit – even when there has been no breach.
Some providers have been hit with penalties of over $1 million dollars when no protected health information was exposed.
HIPAA audits are a big possibility in 2015 for healthcare providers and business associates.
The best way to prepare is by ensuring that the entity has an accurate and through risk analysis.
Where to begin?
While HIPAA risk assessments may seem daunting, it is better to be prepared than to be audited or face a security breach.
After an initial risk assessment, you should continue to tweak and update your HIPAA plan and breach readiness.
Stay current by:
- Continuously improving your existing policies and procedures;
- Update your documents for breach response and notification;
- Update your policies for patient access to HIPAA-covered data; and
- Continue to train your staff and perform internal audits.
We help our clients go beyond HIPAA and government requirements so that they are covered in the face of both audits and breaches.
Breaches can be very costly and very damaging to reputations.
In our next blog post, we will keep you informed of related issues. To get this important information delivered directly to your mail box, Click here to Subscribe
Do you need help with your performing a HIPAA risk assessment or updating your current readiness plan? We can help. To contact us about breach readiness, HIPAA risk assessments, or your other legal needs: CLICK HERE.
P.S. If you or your patients are interested in consumer healthcare issues, check out myhealthspin.com.
