3 HIPAA Websites You Should Have Bookmarked
/When it comes to HIPAA Security Rule Compliance, we often find that many clients are hoping that if they don't know the law, they don't have to worry about it. I'm sorry to say, that won't work for long! HIPAA has been 'out' for over a decade and now that the official audits have started, I'm sure we're all in for a ton more 'trouble' than we've gotten used to over the years.
To help out, I wanted to share some resources that you shouldn't be without. So, bookmark these pages and check back in with them often. Keeping yourself and your staff educated on HIPAA law is the first step in knowing what you don't know!
1. www.hhs.gov
This is the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services main website. If you've never been to it, go…now. If you haven't been to it in a while, go…now. This site can help you stay on top of what the government is saying and doing about HIPAA compliance. Browse around the site and stay awhile. You'll be amazed at the information available and the tools you can find.
2. The HHS "Wall of Shame" - http://1.usa.gov/17EMTWJ
This site is a treasure trove of information for you and your practice. If you've never used this site before, you REALLY need to! The Wall of Shame (not it's official name, btw) is simply a documented list of all breaches affecting 500 or more individuals. So, if you ever lose a laptop, have a backup tape go missing or get 'hacked'…get ready…your name and situation goes on this site. The great part is that you can use it to learn from other's mistakes and read how some of the simplest things have become huge issues (and larger fines) for some Covered Entities.
3. Facebook/LinkedIn/Twitter (and other social media)
WHAT?!?! Did I just recommend that you use social media in your job? Yep, I sure did. There are TONS of great articles, blogs and posts going around social media these days. Our blog alone, puts out multiple posts per week…ALL dealing with HIPAA Security. So, if you're on Facebook or Twitter, why not 'like' or 'follow' someone like us? For once, you might get good, real-time information that could help you do your job better! (and it’s a good break from watching your aunt's cat videos!). If you feel like you're getting too much information, you can always 'unsubscribe' or 'unfollow'. You can follow us by clicking the icons at the top and bottom of this page (and it will help you to see what new content we've put out to help you learn)!
Oh and I'll give you a '3a' freebie page you need to bookmark...the Skysail Blog! Check in with us often, we try to always keep up-to-date info out here to help you guys deal with the confusion that is HIPAA Security.
With the over-abundance of information being thrown around about HIPAA, it's easy to see why most folks just get overwhelmed and quit. But since that's really a career ending decision, why not take control of what you need to know? Start with these 3 sites. Educate yourself (and let others educate you) and I'll guarantee the 'horror' of HIPAA will get better!
Happy Documenting!
Jeff Franks is the co-founder of Skysail Software, makers of affordable HIPAA Security Rule compliance management software solutions. HIPAA FLIGHTPLAN provides centralized documentation of your HIPAA Security Rule compliance program. HIPAA TIPS delivers Security Awareness training to your entire staff, every month, without impacting your daily operations.
