Understanding HIPAA Compliance Forms For Employers

Business owners in the health industry need to document HIPAA compliance forms. Dentists, chiropractors and insurance providers all comply with the rules and regulations listed in the forms. Industry leaders who do not maintain these forms end up paying hefty fines. Some even tarnish their reputations, depending on the extent to which they broke the rules and regulations. As a business owner in the health industry, you do not want to lose profits or clients due to a human resources issue. For this reason, read on to understand HIPAA compliance forms for employers.

Compliant Organizations

To begin understanding HIPAA compliance forms, you need to be able to identify the organizations who need to be compliant. HIPAA rules require two types of organizations to comply: covered entities and business associates. Covered entities include organizations that collect or create PHI (personal health information) electronically. If you are a healthcare provider, healthcare clearinghouse or healthcare insurance provider, you fall under this category. Business associates who deal with PHI during their assigned tasks also need to comply with the appropriate HIPAA forms. According to authorities, professionals who fit into either group need to maintain HIPAA compliance forms for employers.

Business Associate Agreement

Another element to understanding HIPAA compliance forms for employers is the business associate agreement. This type of form entails an agreement between you and a business associate. If you work with either an individual or an entire entity that is not directly connected to your organization, you need to fill out this form. For instance, if your healthcare organization pays for software services to maintain your data, you are required to fill out a business associate agreement. Reach out to your software provider and ask them to sign the agreement. Then, you can ensure that you are HIPAA compliant.

Privacy Forms

Moreover, healthcare organizations need to fill out privacy forms. If you do not, you risk breaking HIPAA’s privacy rule. This rule protects patients from issues that arise when healthcare professionals transfer their health information to other organizations within the industry. Problems can occur with materials ranging from ultrasound videos to blood work results. The privacy HIPAA compliance form states that you, the organization conducting business, will keep your patients’ sensitive data confidential. Patients expect this from healthcare providers, which is why you need to understand the HIPAA compliance forms.

Breach Notification Rule

You also need to understand the breach notification rule in order to comprehend HIPAA compliance forms. This rule states that covered entities need to contact patients if a breach occurs. They deserve to know that their electronic protected health information (ePHI) was or could have been accessed by unauthorized parties. Moreover, the rule explains that when an information breach that affects over five hundred patients occurs, the organization at fault has to contact both the Department of Health and Human Services and the media. Keep this in mind when you conduct your business and fill out the necessary HIPAA compliance forms.

Law Enforcement

Finally, comprehend the actions law enforcement officials take when HIPAA compliance forms are not followed. You need to learn the ramifications for any legal elements of a company including corporate bylaws and HIPAA issues. The HHS Office for Civil Rights covers the HIPAA territory. They monitor healthcare organizations’ HIPAA forms and penalize the violators. Some popular violations are impermissible PHI use, lack of PHI safeguards and over disclosure of PHI. The U.S. Department of Justice has the power to fine healthcare organizations who fail to comply with the rules and regulations HIPAA sets. While fees vary per case, they are never good for organizations in the healthcare industry. Understand this about HIPAA compliance forms.

If you want to achieve your business goals in the health industry, you need to meet HIPAA’s standards. Both covered entities and business associates need to fill out compliance forms. Complete business associate agreements for any third party services you receive. Ensure that you follow the privacy rules set by HIPAA. The breach notification rule states that covered entities need to take action when a breach takes place. Lastly, recognize the legal implications that you can face if you break the rules set on the forms. Use this information to understand the HIPAA compliance forms for employees.