What is HIPAA Compliance?
This is a US based legislation designed to protect patient data and applies to organisations that process this.
What is HIPAA?
HIPAA is a U.S. law enacted in 1996 to protect sensitive patient health information (PHI) from being disclosed without consent. It applies to healthcare providers, insurers, and their business associates.
Key Components of HIPAA:
- Privacy Rule – Protects patient health information (PHI) and controls how it is used and shared.
- Security Rule – Requires organizations to implement technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect electronic PHI (ePHI).
- Breach Notification Rule – Requires covered entities to notify affected individuals and the government in case of a data breach.
- Enforcement Rule – Establishes penalties for HIPAA violations, which can range from fines to criminal charges.
Who Needs to Comply with HIPAA?
- Healthcare providers (hospitals, doctors, clinics).
- Health insurers (insurance companies, HMOs).
- Healthcare clearinghouses (billing services).
- Business associates (IT vendors, cloud storage providers handling PHI).
Why HIPAA Compliance Matters:
✅ Protects patient privacy and builds trust.
✅ Prevents data breaches and identity theft.
✅ Avoids legal penalties (fines up to $1.9M per violation).
✅ Ensures secure electronic health records (EHRs).