Understanding HIPAA Protected Health Information: What You Need to Know
If you are in the healthcare industry, you would have heard of HIPAA. HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which was passed by the US Congress in 1996.
HIPAA aims to protect the privacy and security of Health Information. It provides guidelines to healthcare providers, insurance companies, and anyone else who handles personal health information on how to ensure they are keeping this information safe.
In this article, we will talk about protected health information (PHI), what types of data are covered under HIPAA, and how to ensure compliance.
What is Protected Health Information (PHI)?
Protected health information (PHI) is any personally identifiable information related to a person’s health status, including demographic information.
The PHI definition also includes information related to the provision or payment of healthcare that can be linked to a specific person. Examples of PHI include medical records, health plan information, lab test results, and even conversations between a patient and their healthcare provider.
What Types of Data Are Covered Under HIPAA?
HIPAA covers 18 types of identifiers that could help identify a patient. They include:
1. Names
2. Dates (birth, discharge, admission)
3. Geographic location information
4. Social Security Numbers
5. Medical record number
6. Phone numbers
7. Fax numbers
8. Email addresses
9. URLs
10. Biometric identifiers (e.g., fingerprints, voiceprints)
11. Vehicle identifiers (e.g., license plates, serial numbers)
12. Device identifiers (e.g., IP addresses)
13. Web Universal Resource Locators (URLs)
14. Internet Protocol (IP) address number
15. Certificate/license numbers
16. Health plan beneficiary numbers
17. Account numbers
18. Full-face photographic images
HIPAA also covers any information regarding a patient’s past, present, or future physical or mental health conditions.
What are the Consequences of Failing to Comply with HIPAA?
The consequences of HIPAA violations can vary and will depend on the severity of the breach.
Individuals who violate HIPAA can be fined up to $50,000 per violation and could face up to a year in prison. Organizations can face fines of up to $1.5 million per year or up to $50,000 per violation, whichever is less.
In addition to the financial penalties, HIPAA violations can lead to a loss of trust from patients and a damaged reputation for healthcare providers.
How to Ensure HIPAA Compliance?
To ensure HIPAA compliance, healthcare organizations should:
1. Implement proper administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect PHI.
2. Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities or threats to PHI.
3. Provide HIPAA training to employees and contractors who handle PHI.
4. Create and regularly review policies and procedures that are in compliance with HIPAA requirements.
5. Ensure that business associates also comply with HIPAA regulations.
HIPAA compliance requires ongoing efforts and maintenance to ensure that all PHI is kept secure and confidential. Healthcare organizations must stay current with new technology and adjust their policies accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, HIPAA is an essential act that aims to protect the privacy and security of personal health information. Understanding PHI and the types of data that are covered under HIPAA is crucial for healthcare providers. Additionally, complying with HIPAA regulations requires a continuous effort to ensure that PHI is kept secure, and policies and procedures are updated regularly. Failure to comply can lead to severe fines and a damaged reputation, so it is essential for healthcare providers to prioritize HIPAA compliance.
