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If you work in the health care industry and are unsure about how HIPAA and Meaningful Use relate to one another, you’re not alone. This topic weighs heavily on the minds of many health care professionals, and it’s easy to see why the relationship between the two can be confusing. For instance, a Meaningful Use risk analysis won’t satisfy the requirements for a HIPAA analysis, but a HIPAA risk assessment fulfills the risk assessment required for Meaningful Use.
While HIPAA and Meaningful Use focus on potential security problems involving PHI, and both require risk analyses, they differ in terms of what organizations need to do to fulfill the standards set forth under each and maintain a satisfactory status.
The good news is that there are a various means of learning about HIPAA and Meaningful Use, while also satisfying the requirements for both. Companies such as The Compliancy Group provides free education webinars, whitepapers, and a software solution designed to help your organization become HIPAA compliant and succeed in demonstrating successful satisfaction of Meaningful Use requirements. Expanding your knowledge on the relationship between HIPAA and Meaningful Use will help protect your practice from potential liabilities.
The following is a variety of topics health care professionals have posted on this issue:
Compliance v. Attestation
HIPAA sets the bar for all aspects of safeguarding PHI, and any organizations handling such sensitive data must follow every security requirement concerning the physical storage of these records. Individuals who handle PHI – whether they view it or not – and the networks used to transmit it electronically must follow strict security protocols to minimize the possibilities of a breach of PHI. Fulfilling these requirements is how organizations achieve compliance. Meaningful Use is narrower in scope because it only focuses on the EHR system a practice uses. Attestation is the name for the process that documents the way a practice is meeting Meaningful Use requirements such as improving care quality, efficiency, and boosting patient engagement.
Because Meaningful Use concerns only the use of an EHR system, achieving attestation does not mean you’re in the clear when it pertains to HIPAA. The requirements linked to HIPAA focus on all aspects of the patient data process that go well beyond the use of a cloud-based EHR management platform.
With that said, it is possible to hit two birds with one stone. Due to the fact that HIPAA requirements are more far-reaching, completion of a thorough HIPAA risk analysis satisfies the risk analysis requirement for Meaningful Use. Keep in mind, though, that if your HIPAA analysis falls short in any way, it will also result in a failure for your Meaningful Use risk assessment.
HIPAA and Meaningful Use similarities
Both HIPAA and Meaningful Use call for analyses to assess potential security risks, and both require plans aimed at managing those risks. Risk analyses allow the practice to evaluate and prioritize possible threats to PHI while risk management plans are how the practice addresses any issues identified in the analysis and demonstrates that they are trying to correct those issues.
When you’ve completed a risk assessment and your risk management plan offers a solid track record of the progress you’ve made addressing any problems, HHS won’t come down as hard on you when it comes time for a HIPAA audit, or if an investigation is launched.
HIPAA and Meaningful Use differences
Risk analyses for Meaningful Use are only required for practices that are participating in Meaningful Use, and they only assess possible risks concerning EHR. To date, reporting requirements have been updated on just two occasions since its inception (Stage 1 and Stage 2).
The HIPAA risk analysis takes into account all aspects of how PHI is handled and by whom. These analyses cover many facets of a practice’s day-to-day operations including: email encryption, proper storage of paper health records and intake processes, as well as whether Covered Entities (including their Business Associates and subcontractors), are compliant under the law. Standards for HIPAA risk assessments are usually reviewed and updated on an annual basis.
Where to go from here
Achieving and maintaining HIPAA compliance is an absolute must. While it may be a daunting task for those who are still struggling to meet all of the associated requirements, it is well worth the effort to do all you can to protect PHI and avoid potential fines and penalties for non-compliance.
If your practice has completed a thorough HIPAA risk analysis, then you may have also satisfied one of the main requirements set forth in Meaningful Use. If your practice has yet to craft a HIPAA compliance plan, there’s no time like the present to start moving in the right direction. Remember, you’re not alone. If you need help, contact The Compliancy Group at 855-85-HIPAA or visit http://compliancy-group.com. Compliancy Group’s unique software, web-based resources and experienced staff can help you become HIPAA compliant and satisfy Meaningful Use.
