The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) establishes standards under federal law to protect the disclosure of patient health information without the patient’s knowledge or consent. Verifying the identity and authority of those requesting protected health information (PHI) is crucial to comply with federal regulations. Discover the importance of sending faxes that comply with HIPAA and why it matters to patients and medical facilities.
Basics About HIPAA
HIPAA safeguards PHI by establishing a national standard to protect patient’s health information and medical records. Medical providers must follow these regulations to ensure each patient’s privacy from the initial contact to the final treatment. With that in mind, sending faxes that are HIPAA compliant is crucial to maintaining the integrity of a patient’s PHI. HIPAA permits medical providers to fax patients’ medical information with appropriate safeguards when faxing. As a result, sending faxes over T38 SIP Trunks uses HIPAA-approved, real-time encryption is a safe way to transmit sensitive patient information. When other devices are used, be aware of security protocols to ensure a private transmittal of information.
Sending HIPPA Compliant Faxes
Each medical provider must ensure each real-time fax is HIPAA compliant regardless of how it is sent. For example, a fax sent via the Internet can be automatically encrypted. Another option is real-time faxing over IP to receive a confirmation of the transmission. Also, a converted entity can send faxes as long as they are always HIPAA compliant. Instructing staff members on the proper ways to follow standards when faxing a patient’s PHI. Compromising a patient’s privacy can result in penalties and have a negative impact on a medical facility’s reputation. Plus, patients have a reasonable expectation of privacy when they work with medical providers, as anything less can compromise their overall care and treatment.
Patients Expect Privacy
Maintaining a reputable medical facility means following all applicable regulations closely, including the HIPAA privacy rule. Failing to safeguard a patient’s privacy may impact the organization’s success and cause problems for the patient. Being aware of HIPAA regulations and following them is a valuable way to gain customers’ trust. Modern technology helps medical providers offer the highest level of care but must also be understood when maintaining privacy every step of the way.
Accessing real encryption, regardless of the transmittal means, is the goal of providing optimum privacy and remaining compliant with HIPAA regulations. Patients have a reasonable expectation of privacy when sharing information with medical providers. Anything less compromises a patient’s care and can make people hesitate to seek medical attention in the future.
Privacy Benefits Everyone
Patients require privacy to make meaningful decisions about their health care without unnecessary input from anyone else. In addition, medical facilities must gain a patient’s trust by offering the highest level of care. With both in mind, the privacy established by HIPAA laws benefits everyone. Maintaining these standards helps patients feel secure about obtaining care and builds trust with medical providers to empower them to provide the best treatment.
Sending a fax is often the fastest way to share and gather pertinent patient information necessary to provide the highest level of care. Learning how to send HIPAA compliant faxes is crucial to a medical facility’s success by building essential trust with patients and offering the treatment they need.