Telehealth services provide patients access to care from their homes, offering secure channels to protect sensitive information. With this convenient option, all regulations must meet the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Failing to meet their requirements may result in fines, loss of patient trust, and legal action. Here’s how to maintain compliance with telehealth services and HIPAA secure emails:
Use HIPAA Secure Emails With Telehealth Platforms
Using HIPAA secure emails along with your telehealth platform will provide secure channels to discuss and transmit patient information. This platform should include end-to-end encryption so recipients can access the data shared during a telehealth session. User authentication will help verify the identity of patients and healthcare providers, which adds an additional layer of security. Access controls will also allow providers to limit access to view patient information, making sure that only authorized personnel are allowed.
Our team at Enterprise Guardian offers HIPAA compliant telehealth services, including features like encrypted communication channels and secure user verification. These tools will help protect patient data and maintain accessibility.
Implement Secure Communication Methods
Regular email, SMS, or non-compliant messaging platforms may expose protected health information (PHI) to unauthorized individuals. To help mitigate this risk, we offer secure PHI transmissions through encrypted messages sent to secure servers. The features we offer include encryption in transit and at rest, which means if a hacker intercepts an email in your inbox or while it is being transmitted, they cannot read the contents. Audit controls track who accesses, views, and sends emails containing PHI and maintains a record. In the event of an emergency or disaster, backup and recovery plans have servers to keep data secure. We offer a variety of solutions at Enterprise Guardian to protect and maintain HIPAA compliance.
Train Your Staff Regularly
Human error may cause HIPAA violations, which is why healthcare providers should review regular training for their staff. This helps prevent any miscommunication regarding telehealth services and other communication tools. Other key areas to review should include recognizing phishing attempts to avoid compromising sensitive information. Employees should also learn to manage access controls necessary to their role and how to securely log into telehealth platforms and secure email services. Training should be updated regularly to reflect changes in HIPAA regulations and new security threats.
Conduct Regular Risk Assessments
Regular risk assessments help avoid and detect vulnerabilities in your telehealth services. HIPAA requires covered entities and business associates to conduct these assessments for compliance. During an assessment, review the platform’s security and address any weaknesses in the encryption or authentication process. Analyze the data storage and transmission methods. Our team at Enterprise Guardian can help provide thorough risk assessments to proactively identify any vulnerabilities and maintain HIPAA compliance.
Use Enterprise Guardian for HIPAA Compliance
Maintaining HIPAA compliant platforms for telehealth and secure email services will require adhering to protocols, training, and attention to security. Our team at Enterprise Guardian helps provide thorough assessments to mitigate security challenges. Our services also include communication tools, conducting regular risk assessments, and making sure staff are trained in HIPAA’s best practices. This way, healthcare providers can deliver safe, compliant telehealth services. Reach out to our team today to learn more about compliant platforms and how our solutions will protect your practice.