Ransomware attackers are currently exploiting a critical vulnerability in SonicWall firewalls to gain preliminary access to victims'...
HIPAA News and Advice
At Least 14.76 Million Individuals Impacted by Welltok Data Breach Victim
The 2023 MOVEit Transfer data breach at Welltok, a patient engagement firm based in Denver, has now impacted over 14.7 million people....
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Rite Aid Over 2.2 Million-Record Data Breach
Rite Aid is the U.S. fourth-biggest pharmacy chain. A class action lawsuit was filed against Rite Aid over a June 2024 data breach that...
Two Employees of Mass General Brigham Fired for Privacy Violations
Two employees of Mass General Brigham located in Boston, MA were terminated because of a privacy breach discovered on April 4, 2024. The...
Lynwood Manor Alerts Patients of Data Breach
Healthcare provider CRG Lynwood, LLC based in Adrian, MI, which manages the Lynwood Manor skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, sent...
Data of 14,400 Clients Exposed Due to Medjet/MedjetAssist Malware Attack
Air medical transport and travel security membership program, Medjet and MedjetAssist (Medjet) based in Birmingham, AL has reported a...
Cyberattacks on American Renal Associates, Family Health Center, Cattaraugus-Allegany Board of Cooperative Education Services, and North Carolina Dental Practice
Medusa Ransomware Group Exposes Data Stolen from American Renal Associates American Renal Associates (ARA) experienced an attack by the...
Cyberattacks and Data Breaches Reported by the L.A. County Department of Mental Health, Healthfirst, Risas Dental & Braces and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
MFA Bypassed in Cyberattack on L.A. County Department of Mental Health The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health recently sent a...
Data Breaches Reported by Pembina County Memorial Hospital, Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Rancho Family Medical Group, and Emergency Medical Services Authority
23,451 Individuals Affected by Pembina County Memorial Hospital Data Breach Pembina County Memorial Hospital based in Cavalier, ND, has...
Data Breaches Reported by CCM Health, UnitedHealth Group, St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, and California Correctional Health Care Services
CCM Health Data Breach CCM Health based in Montevideo, MN recently alerted 29,182 persons regarding a network security occurrence that...
Boss of Group Responsible for the Attack on University of Vermont Medical Center Facing 40 Years in Prison
The Ukrainian leader of racketeering groups who conspired to install malware on thousands of company computers has admitted in federal...
HHS Resolves Internal Cybersecurity Breach Inquiry
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), has reached a settlement with Montefiore Medical...
What are common examples of HIPAA violations in a medical practice?
Common examples of HIPAA violations in medical practice include unauthorized access to patient records, sharing patient information...
Can patients access all their health data held by a HIPAA-covered entity?
Yes, under HIPAA, patients have the right to access and obtain copies of their health data held by covered entities, including medical...
Are all healthcare providers considered HIPAA-covered entities?
No, not all healthcare providers are considered HIPAA-covered entities; specifically, only healthcare providers who transmit health...
How can patients ensure that their HIPAA PHI is being stored and managed correctly?
Patients can ensure that their HIPAA PHI is being stored and managed correctly by regularly reviewing their medical records, asking...
What is the process to obtain a HIPAA certification for my clinic?
The process to obtain HIPAA certification for your clinic involves several key steps, including conducting a risk assessment, developing...
How do overseas healthcare service providers apply for HIPAA certification?
Overseas healthcare service providers can apply for HIPAA certification by first ensuring their compliance with HIPAA requirements,...
Are non-profits providing medical services subject to HIPAA certification requirements?
Non-profit organizations providing medical services are generally subject to the privacy and security requirements of HIPAA if they...
How has the cloud computing revolution affected the storage of HIPAA Protected Health Information?
The cloud computing revolution has transformed the storage of HIPAA Protected Health Information (PHI) by providing healthcare...
What initiatives can increase transparency in the handling of HIPAA PHI by healthcare institutions?
To increase transparency in the handling of HIPAA PHI by healthcare institutions, key initiatives include implementing privacy training...
Can wearable health devices compromise the security of HIPAA Protected Health Information?
Yes, wearable health devices can potentially compromise the security of HIPAA Protected Health Information if they collect, transmit, or...
How do third-party vendors interact with HIPAA-covered entities?
Third-party vendors interact with HIPAA-covered entities by providing services, products, or support that involve the use, access, or...
Can a healthcare institution lose its HIPAA certification due to compliance violations?
HIPAA does not provide for a formal "certification" process for healthcare institutions, but they can face severe penalties, fines, and...
Can mental health records have different regulations under HIPAA Protected Health Information standards?
No, mental health records are subject to the same regulations under HIPAA Protected Health Information standards as other medical records,...
What obligations does an entity covered by HIPAA have concerning patient data?
An entity covered by HIPAA is obligated to ensure the security and confidentiality of patient data by implementing appropriate...
How do telehealth services ensure the confidentiality of HIPAA PHI during sessions?
Telehealth services ensure the confidentiality of HIPAA PHI during sessions by employing secure and encrypted video conferencing...
What role does cybersecurity play in obtaining and maintaining HIPAA certification?
Cybersecurity plays an important role in obtaining and maintaining HIPAA certification by ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and...
How do HIPAA-covered entities handle minor patient information?
HIPAA-covered entities handle minor patient information by following the same privacy and security standards mandated by HIPAA, ensuring...
Are there guidelines on how to physically store documents containing HIPAA PHI securely?
Yes, there are guidelines for physically storing documents containing HIPAA PHI securely, which include using locked file cabinets or...
What are the reporting obligations of a HIPAA entity in case of data exposure?
In the event of a data exposure, a HIPAA-covered entity is obligated under HIPAA to promptly notify affected individuals, the U.S....
What is the duration of validity for a standard HIPAA certification?
HIPAA certifications do not have a standardized or fixed duration of validity, as it depends on the specific training or compliance...
How do elder care facilities ensure compliance with HIPAA certification standards?
Elder care facilities ensure compliance with HIPAA certification standards by implementing strict administrative, technical, and physical...
How does the Office for Civil Rights handle HIPAA violations?
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) handles HIPAA violations by conducting investigations, enforcing compliance through corrective action...
How do federal and state laws regarding patient privacy relate to HIPAA-covered entities?
Federal and state laws concerning patient privacy, including those specific to HIPAA-covered entities, establish a complex framework in...
How do healthcare mergers impact the management of HIPAA Protected Health Information?
Healthcare mergers can impact the management of HIPAA Protected Health Information (PHI) by necessitating a careful assessment and...
How can healthcare organizations prevent potential HIPAA violations?
Healthcare organizations can prevent potential HIPAA violations by implementing robust privacy policies, conducting regular staff training...
What role do firewalls and VPNs play in safeguarding HIPAA PHI in hospitals?
Firewalls and VPNs safeguard HIPAA PHI in hospitals by establishing a secure network infrastructure: firewalls act as a protective barrier...
How are HIPAA-covered entities audited for compliance?
HIPAA-covered entities are audited for compliance through various methods, including random audits conducted by the Office for Civil...
How are patient rights safeguarded through HIPAA compliance?
Patient rights are safeguarded through HIPAA compliance by ensuring that healthcare providers, health plans, and relevant entities adhere...
How do state-specific laws impact the handling of HIPAA Protected Health Information?
State-specific laws can impact the handling of HIPAA Protected Health Information by either adding additional privacy and security...
How does an organization determine if it is a HIPAA-covered entity?
An organization determines if it is a HIPAA-covered entity by assessing whether it engages in certain healthcare-related activities, such...
How do patients benefit from choosing a HIPAA certified healthcare provider?
Patients benefit from choosing a HIPAA-certified healthcare provider because it ensures the protection of their sensitive medical...
How do mergers and acquisitions impact the status of a HIPAA-covered entity?
Mergers and acquisitions can impact the status of a HIPAA-covered entity by necessitating careful analysis and adjustments to ensure...
How can healthcare organizations recover from a HIPAA violation?
Recovering from a HIPAA violation requires healthcare organizations to promptly address the breach by conducting a thorough internal...
How do patients provide consent for the use of their Protected Health Information in research?
Patients provide consent for the use of their Protected Health Information (PHI) in research by typically signing a specific research...
How can healthcare organizations prepare for HIPAA compliance inspections?
Healthcare organizations can prepare for HIPAA compliance inspections by conducting regular internal audits of their privacy and security...
What is the role of the Office for Civil Rights concerning HIPAA PHI breaches?
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) plays an important role in enforcing HIPAA in the United States, particularly in relation to breaches of...
How can cloud services be utilized while maintaining HIPAA compliance?
To utilize cloud services while maintaining HIPAA compliance, organizations must ensure that the chosen cloud provider offers robust...
What is the primary objective of HIPAA training?
The primary objective of HIPAA training is to ensure that healthcare professionals and employees understand and comply with HIPAA...
Are there specific encryption standards that a HIPAA-covered entity must adhere to?
HIPAA-covered entities are not explicitly required to adhere to specific encryption standards, but the HIPAA Security Rule requires them...
What role do third-party vendors play in ensuring the safety of HIPAA PHI?
Third-party vendors play an important role in ensuring the safety of HIPAA PHI by providing services and solutions such as secure data...
What can happen to a healthcare worker or their workplace if they do not follow HIPAA laws?
If a healthcare worker or their workplace does not follow HIPAA laws, they could face consequences, including fines, legal penalties, loss...
Can a patient sue a HIPAA-covered entity for a data breach?
Yes, a patient can potentially sue a HIPAA-covered entity for a data breach if the breach results from the entity's failure to adequately...
Are mental health professionals bound by the same rules as other HIPAA-covered entities?
Yes, mental health professionals are generally bound by the same rules as other HIPAA-covered entities, which include maintaining the...
What is the definition of a HIPAA-covered entity?
A HIPAA-covered entity refers to a healthcare provider, health plan, or healthcare clearinghouse that transmits, receives, or maintains...
How does social media use in healthcare lead to potential HIPAA violations?
Social media use in healthcare can lead to potential HIPAA violations by enabling the unauthorized sharing of patients' PHI due to...
Who needs HIPAA training?
HIPAA training is typically required for healthcare professionals, employees, and organizations that handle protected health information...
How does the Health Information Exchange (HIE) network impact HIPAA-covered entities?
The Health Information Exchange (HIE) network impacts HIPAA-covered entities by facilitating secure electronic sharing of patient health...
What are the potential penalties for falsely claiming to be HIPAA certified?
Falsely claiming to be HIPAA certified can result in serious penalties, including civil fines of up to $50,000 per violation, criminal...
What does PHI stand for in HIPAA?
In HIPAA, PHI stands for Protected Health Information, which refers to any information in a medical record that can be used to identify an...
Is there a refresher HIPAA training course available for professionals?
Yes, there are numerous refresher HIPAA training courses available for professionals, offered by various accredited organizations and...
What are the ethical concerns associated with HIPAA violations?
Ethical concerns associated with HIPAA violations include breaches of patient privacy, loss of trust between healthcare providers and...
How do international medical tourism practices intersect with HIPAA-covered entities?
International medical tourism practices can intersect with HIPAA-covered entities through scenarios where patients from countries without...
How frequently should healthcare providers audit their storage of Protected Health Information?
Healthcare providers should regularly audit their storage of Protected Health Information (PHI) on an ongoing basis, with the frequency of...
Is it a HIPAA violation to say someone is your patient?
Yes, it can be considered a potential HIPAA violation to disclose someone as your patient without their explicit consent or a legitimate...
Are there challenges in cross-border transfer of HIPAA Protected Health Information?
Yes, there are challenges in the cross-border transfer of HIPAA Protected Health Information (PHI), primarily stemming from differing...
Are dental practices considered HIPAA-covered entities?
Yes, dental practices are considered HIPAA-covered entities, as they transmit and maintain PHI in the course of providing dental care and...
How do HIPAA violations relate to other federal privacy laws?
HIPAA violations are specific breaches of the HIPAA that pertain exclusively to the mishandling of protected health information within the...
Are there any certifications for software platforms handling HIPAA Protected Health Information?
Yes, there are certifications for software platforms handling HIPAA Protected Health Information, such as the Health IT Certification for...
What role does encryption play in preventing HIPAA violations?
Encryption plays a role in preventing HIPAA violations by safeguarding sensitive patient health information during storage, transmission,...
Is a HIPAA certification mandatory for all healthcare providers in the US?
No, HIPAA certification is not mandatory for all healthcare providers in the United States; however, compliance with HIPAA regulations is...