HIPAA
What does HIPAA mean?
HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, a United States federal law that governs the protection of health information. It requires organizations handling medical records and personal health data to follow strict privacy and security practices.
How does HIPAA work?
HIPAA establishes standards for the collection, storage, and sharing of Protected Health Information (PHI) by covered entities like healthcare providers, health plans, and their business associates (vendors, service providers, platforms like consent management tools, etc.).
Under HIPAA, companies must:
- Implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect PHI.
- Obtain consent or authorization before using or disclosing health data in most cases.
- Provide data subjects (patients) with rights to access and request corrections to their records.
- Sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with vendors that handle PHI on their behalf.
If a company offers services that collect PHI, such as online appointment forms, HIPAA-compliant consent banners, or healthcare-related user tracking, they must configure their platforms accordingly to align with HIPAA requirements.
HIPAA is a cornerstone regulation for data privacy in the healthcare sector. Violating its rules can lead to significant legal and financial penalties. For digital compliance platforms and websites in the health space, it’s essential to integrate HIPAA-compliant privacy policies, consent mechanisms, and secure data flows.
It also intersects with digital accessibility. Patients must be able to access privacy notices, consent forms, and their rights through accessible interfaces (e.g., screen-reader compatible formats), as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
FAQs about HIPAA
Covered entities (like hospitals, doctors, insurers) and business associates (such as vendors managing patient data) must comply with HIPAA if they handle PHI.
PHI includes any identifiable health information such as medical records, diagnoses, lab results, or even email addresses linked to health services.
Yes. If a website collects PHI (e.g., via contact forms, live chats, or cookies on healthcare sites), HIPAA rules apply. Consent and storage must be handled securely and transparently.
Some aspects, like encrypting PHI or logging consent events, can be automated. However, HIPAA also requires ongoing assessments, staff training, and manual oversight.
Web content that informs patients about their rights or collects sensitive information must be accessible to users with disabilities, aligning with ADA requirements.