Due to strict laws regarding patient confidentiality, protected health information (PHI) needs to be securely stored and shared only when approved. This includes any information that may identify a patient, such as health diagnoses, names, and more. Here is a list of what patient information needs to be sent through Enterprise Guardian’s HIPAA secure emails:
Medical Diagnoses
A medical diagnosis can identify a patient, so it cannot be sent through unsecured email systems, which do not have strict security protocols required by HIPAA laws. Many diagnoses are also sensitive, and patients may not want information available to anyone. This includes medical procedures, prescriptions, or information only a doctor should know, such as mental health conditions, substance use, or genetic information that could lead to stigma or discrimination if disclosed.
PHI must be sent to patients or other medical professionals through protected and encrypted HIPAA secure emails. This protects it from hackers, secures patient privacy, and reduces the likelihood of malpractice penalties. Enterprise Guardian provides medical professionals with secure email platforms to send sensitive information.
Treatment Plans
After a diagnosis or procedure, doctors and patients often develop a treatment plan. These plans usually include movement activities, prescription drugs, or follow-up visits. This information is also PHI because it can identify a patient. Enterprise Guardian’s secure email services protect this information from hackers. If a doctor emails a patient with treatment directions, the information is sent through a secure server and backed up. It is also encrypted to make sure only the intended recipient can view its contents. Systems can support encrypted archives so phishers and hackers can not access stored records.
Patient Contact Information
Information that can be used to identify a patient, including patients’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and appointment reminders, is PHI. HIPAA secure emails make sure all this information is protected, promoting trust between you and your patients. They also protect your patients from scams targeting diagnoses or phishing incidents where a hacker impersonates a doctor. Protecting PHI is legally required, including when storing information on the cloud or conducting telehealth sessions.
Health Insurance Information
Information regarding a patient’s health insurance, such as policy numbers and dependents, is PHI and should only be sent by secured emails. Only a doctor, patient, insurance company, and patient-authorized parties are allowed access to the claims, explanations of benefits, and other information. When shared, insurance information must be sent through HIPAA secure emails. Enterprise Guardian’s secure email platforms make sure your insurance claims do not end up in the hands of employers or schools if the patient does not explicitly permit them to receive the information.
Get HIPAA Secure Emails Today
Securing PHI is a priority for several industries, including medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and health insurance. Using Enterprise Guardian® to protect emails can increase patient trust and compliance with HIPAA laws. Failing to protect PHI properly can result in penalties for your practice or business and affect your reputation. Contact Guardian Enterprise today for professional email, telehealth, and cloud storage protection services.