HIPAA & eHIPAA

Course Overview:

The HIPAA & eHIPAA course is designed to provide healthcare professionals, IT staff, administrators, and anyone involved in managing or accessing protected health information (PHI) with a thorough understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its electronic counterpart, eHIPAA.

This course focuses on the privacy and security regulations that protect patient information, offering practical guidance on compliance and best practices in handling electronic PHI (ePHI).

Course Objectives:

• Understand HIPAA Fundamentals: Gain a comprehensive understanding of HIPAA regulations and their significance in healthcare.
• Explore eHIPAA Requirements: Learn about the specific requirements for managing electronic PHI (ePHI) securely.
• Implement Compliance Measures: Develop skills to implement and manage effective HIPAA compliance programs within your organization.
• Manage Risk and Ensure Security: Understand how to assess and mitigate risks associated with PHI, particularly in digital formats.

Key Content Areas:

Introduction to HIPAA

• Overview of HIPAA’s purpose, goals, and history
• Key components: Privacy Rule, Security Rule, Enforcement Rule, and Breach Notification Rule

Understanding eHIPAA

• Transition from paper to digital PHI
• Specific regulations governing the security of ePHI
• Technical and non-technical safeguards

Compliance Strategies

• Developing and maintaining HIPAA compliance programs
• Training and awareness for staff on HIPAA policies and procedures

Privacy and Patient Rights

• Patients' rights under HIPAA
• Procedures for handling patient requests for access to and correction of PHI

ePHI Security Measures

• Technical safeguards: encryption, access controls, audit controls, data transmission security
• Physical and administrative safeguards: physical security of data, administrative actions to protect PHI

Risk Management in Digital Health

• Conducting risk assessments related to ePHI
• Developing and implementing incident response plans

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• Legal implications of HIPAA violations
• Ethical obligations in protecting patient privacy

Staying Updated with HIPAA and eHIPAA

• Continuous learning and staying updated with changes in HIPAA regulations
• Current best practices in HIPAA compliance and patient data protection

Learning Methods:

• Interactive Workshops: Engage in hands-on sessions focused on understanding and applying HIPAA and eHIPAA regulations.
• One-on-One Coaching: Receive personalized guidance on developing and implementing compliance measures.
• Group Discussions: Participate in discussions to share insights and strategies for effective HIPAA compliance.
• Case Studies: Analyze real-world examples to understand the impact of compliance and non-compliance with HIPAA.

Assessment and Certification:

• Knowledge Assessment: Complete quizzes and scenario-based questions to test understanding of HIPAA and eHIPAA principles.
• Practical Assessment: Demonstrate the ability to implement privacy and security measures, manage PHI requests, and respond to breaches.
• Certification: Upon successful completion, participants receive a HIPAA & eHIPAA Compliance Certificate, recognizing their proficiency in managing HIPAA and eHIPAA compliance.

Intended Audience:

This course is crucial for healthcare personnel involved in handling PHI, particularly in roles related to healthcare administration, IT security, clinical management, and compliance. It is also beneficial for new business owners and entrepreneurs in the healthcare sector seeking to understand and fulfill regulatory requirements.