HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, was enacted in 1996 to protect private health information. Initially designed for the healthcare industry, this statute has increasingly applied to many industries where companies process protected health information (PHI). Having HIPAA certification in the general industry safeguards a business against expensive penalties and data breaches.

According to reports, over 249.09 million people in the U.S. had their health data stolen or exposed due to breaches from 2005 to 2019. This is why businesses need to keep sensitive information safe and secure.

Let’s understand more about HIPAA and how to implement it in the further sections. 

What is HIPAA?

HIPAA compliance goes beyond the healthcare sector, extending to various industries where businesses may handle sensitive health information.​ It has 4 core components. These include: 

Privacy Rule

• Regulates how PHI can be used and disclosed.
• Ensures that individuals have rights over their health information, including the ability to access and request corrections.
• This applies to all forms of PHI—written, electronic, or spoken.

Security Rule

• Focuses on safeguarding electronic PHI (ePHI) through administrative, physical, and technical measures.
• Requires businesses to implement security controls.
• Mandates ongoing employee training on data security practices.

Enforcement Rule

• Outlines the consequences of HIPAA violations, including fines and criminal penalties.
• Encourages voluntary compliance by allowing organizations to self-report violations to reduce penalties.

Breach Notification Rule

• Requires organizations to notify individuals, the government, and sometimes the media in the event of a PHI breach.
• Notification must be sent within 60 days of discovering the breach.

Steps Required to Obtain HIPAA Certification for General Industry

HIPAA compliance training is crucial for businesses that handle health-related information, even if they’re not in the healthcare sector. Obtaining HIPAA certification can demonstrate that your organization follows the necessary standards for protecting sensitive health data. Many organizations offer training and certification programs to help businesses ensure they meet HIPAA requirements.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the key steps to obtain HIPAA certification for your company:

Understand Your Business’s Role in Handling PHI

• Identify if your company handles or has access to protected health information (PHI), whether directly or as a service provider.
• Determine if your organization is considered a “covered entity” or “business associate” under HIPAA.

Conduct a Risk Assessment

• Perform a thorough risk analysis to identify where PHI is stored, accessed, and transmitted.
• Evaluate the potential risks and vulnerabilities that could lead to unauthorized access or data breaches.

Develop HIPAA Policies and Procedures

• Create clear policies outlining how your business will protect PHI in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
• Establish procedures for accessing, sharing, and storing PHI securely within your organization.
• Update these policies regularly to stay compliant with any changes in HIPAA laws.

Provide HIPAA Training for Employees

• Ensure that all employees who handle PHI receive proper HIPAA training.
• Training should cover the basics of HIPAA, privacy and security rules, and the importance of safeguarding sensitive data.
• Document the training sessions and ensure regular updates to keep everyone informed of any changes in the law.

Implement Technical Safeguards

• To protect electronic PHI (ePHI), set up necessary technical safeguards, such as encryption, access controls, and secure data transmission methods.
• Regularly review and update your IT systems to stay ahead of security threats.

Perform Regular Audits

• Conduct regular internal audits to ensure your organization remains HIPAA-compliant.
• Address any weaknesses or issues discovered during the audit to prevent potential violations or breaches.

Create a Breach Notification Plan

• Establish a response plan for potential data breaches, ensuring that employees know how to handle incidents promptly.
• Make sure your company is prepared to follow the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule by reporting breaches to affected individuals and the authorities within the required time frame.

Obtain Third-Party HIPAA Certification

• Although not required by law, obtaining certification from a third-party HIPAA compliance organization can provide additional proof of your company’s commitment to safeguarding PHI.

Benefits of HIPAA

HIPAA was enacted in 1996 to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without consent. Here’s a quick overview of the key benefits:

• Protects patient privacy: Ensures that personal health information is kept confidential and shared only with authorized individuals.
• Improves data security: Requires healthcare providers and organizations to use strong security measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
• Builds trust: Patients can feel safer knowing their personal health information is protected, leading to more trust in healthcare providers.
• Prevents identity theft: Protecting health data reduces the risk of medical identity theft, where someone could use another person’s health information to commit fraud.
• Allows for better patient control: Patients have more control over their health information, such as the ability to request access to their records or ask for corrections.
• Encourages better data management: Healthcare providers are required to handle, store, and share data more efficiently and securely, improving overall organization and communication.
• Enhances patient safety: By securing medical information, HIPAA helps ensure that health records are accurate and not tampered with, improving patient care quality.

Wrapping Up

HIPAA certification for non medical professionals is not limited to healthcare. Any business that deals with PHI, whether it’s through billing, administrative work, or insurance, needs to comply with HIPAA regulations. General industries, including law firms, IT service providers, and human resources departments, must understand their responsibilities under HIPAA. Enroll in a course today to stay compliant and protect sensitive data.