HIPAA
Learn about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a US federal law that created national standards to protect sensitive patient health information (PHI).
Key Features
Why developers choose HIPAA.
Applicability
Healthcare providers, health plans ("Covered Entities"), and their vendors ("Business Associates").
Status
Mandatory federal law.
Core Requirement
The Security Rule mandates administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic PHI (ePHI). This includes conducting a formal risk analysis, implementing access controls, and encrypting data in transit.
Penalties
Severe, with civil fines up to $1.5 million per year per violation category, and potential criminal charges.
Perception
A necessary, though complex, standard for maintaining patient trust and safety.
Implementation & Strategy
Costs, timelines, and strategic considerations for adopting HIPAA.
Estimated Project Costs
HIPAA compliance costs can vary widely, depending on the size and complexity of the organization. A small organization might spend between $5,000 and $20,000, while a mid-sized organization could spend between $20,000 and $100,000. Large, enterprise-level organizations can exceed $100,000.
Implementation Strategy
A typical HIPAA implementation starts with a risk analysis to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities to ePHI. From there, the organization can develop a risk management plan and implement the necessary safeguards. The final step is to train employees on HIPAA policies and procedures.