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What is full HIPAA compliance? In simple terms, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) holds healthcare facilities accountable for the lawful use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) via regulatory standards. HIPAA compliance for dental professionals stands parallel to the same level of security and privacy standards as the rest of the medical community.
These regulations cover all dental offices that are entities under HIPAA. Such practices need to take the necessary steps to fully comply with HIPAA standards. Prevention is the best strategy to maintain compliance, patients, income, and a good reputation as a business. To eliminate risk, closely examine the following rules on how to get your dental office HIPAA compliant.
Have a Written HIPAA Compliance Policy
As part of a HIPAA compliance program within the workplace, a written compliance policy is a standard procedure, and it is one of the initial things a business must do to ensure compliance. Plans are critical to the process. A comprehensive and well-written plan will help ensure that what you desire to happen will actually happen from A to Z. This written policy should outline how your office as a whole and how each individual staff member will reach requirements to protect patients’ PHI.
Follow the HIPAA Security Rule
This security rule is the baseline for how to get your dental office HIPAA compliant. As a three-part set of requirements—technical, physical, and administrative—these HIPAA regulations cover how healthcare practitioners need to protect the electronic PHI of their patients. Up-to-date tech, an environmental contingency plan, and clear administrative protocols are meant to secure this protected information.
Perform Security Risk Analysis
A thorough security risk analysis is not a one-and-done kind of deal. This particular analysis is a crucial component of a HIPAA compliance program. As technology has advanced and moved the majority of patient data and information online, it’s best to perform an assessment that ensures there are no security risks or compliance holes in any of the office’s electronic equipment. This includes data systems, computer software, or any applications that essentially store and transmit electronic PHI.
Provide Thorough Education and Staff Training
An employer must provide staff with the right education for compliance. Your staff needs to be properly trained to fulfill their roles each day without breaching any HIPAA rules. If each employee is aware of their responsibilities within the workplace and can follow set guidelines, they will be a wonderful asset to your office’s compliance program. The bottom line is that adequate team training and the use of HIPAA compliance software can successfully prevent violations.
If your office is in need of HIPAA training materials for employees, Gamma Compliance Solutions has you covered. We supply HIPAA manuals, documentation kits, and training programs specifically designed to meet the needs of healthcare providers. Our online training program is extremely convenient, self-paced, and cost-effective. Our 2021 HIPAA package covers all the required regulations with ready-made policies you can customize for your practice. Contact us with any questions about our HIPAA compliance solutions today.