The healthcare industry is stringently regulated by government guidelines in order to keep patient data safe. Failure to comply with these guidelines can result in penalties to your business, including:
- Fines for which there are no stated maximum (in recent cases, issued fines have reached the range of $1.5M)
- Criminal liabilities that can cause further damage to your practice’s or firm’s reputation and ability to operate
Clients and patients don’t just trust you for expert care — they also expect your discretion and the comprehensive protection of their information. However, if your business handles any kind of personal medical information, you need to meet compliance since ignorance of a violation can result in huge fines and penalties.
Risk Assessments Are Not A Guarantee Of Compliance.
Most small to mid-sized businesses have the misconception that completing a risk assessment means that the business is compliant. The reality is that a risk assessment is only a part of HIPAA compliance. All aspects of HIPAA are needed to pass an audit. Due to this misconception, many businesses risk compliance, which is why:
- 70% of covered entities are not compliant
- 79% of covered entities fail their Meaningful Use audit
- Compliance according to the Department of Health and Human Services has seven fundamental elements; a risk assessment only covers one of them
- HIPAA guidelines are designed not only to keep clients and patients protected, but also to keep your practice running smoothly and without disruption
Hanebutt Technologies is HIPAA certified and we can provide comprehensive HIPAA audits to assess your network and processes and correct any issues. With reliable support and consulting, we account for absolutely everything so that your focus remains on the important work you do.