Healthcare Compliance: HIPAA & HITRUST
Healthcare organizations and healthtech companies need to demonstrate HIPAA compliance to win enterprise customers and protect patient data. Achieving certification efficiently is essential for market expansion. We help you implement compliant controls and achieve HIPAA and HITRUST certification while maintaining development velocity.
HIPAA Compliance
HIPAA Privacy Rule
We help you implement policies and procedures to protect patient privacy, including patient rights, uses and disclosures of Protected Health Information (PHI), and breach notification requirements.
HIPAA Security Rule
We assist in implementing administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic PHI (ePHI), including access controls, encryption, audit logs, and security incident procedures.
Breach Notification Rule
We help you establish breach notification procedures and ensure compliance with HIPAA breach notification requirements, including notification to patients, HHS, and in some cases, the media.
HITRUST Certification
HITRUST CSF Framework
We help you understand and implement the HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF), which harmonizes multiple compliance frameworks including HIPAA, ISO 27001, and NIST.
HITRUST Assessment
We guide you through the HITRUST assessment process, helping you prepare for the assessment, implement required controls, and achieve HITRUST certification.
HITRUST Certification
We assist in achieving and maintaining HITRUST certification, which demonstrates your commitment to healthcare information security and can be a competitive differentiator.
PHI Protection
PHI Inventory and Classification
We help you identify and classify all PHI in your environment, understanding where it's stored, processed, and transmitted, and implementing appropriate safeguards.
Access Controls
We assist in implementing access controls to ensure only authorized individuals can access PHI, including role-based access, authentication, and authorization processes.
Encryption and Data Protection
We help you implement encryption for PHI at rest and in transit, ensuring data is protected according to HIPAA requirements and industry best practices.
Risk Assessment
Security Risk Assessment
We conduct comprehensive security risk assessments to identify risks to PHI and your healthcare information systems, helping you understand and prioritize security risks.
Risk Management
We help you develop and implement risk management strategies to address identified risks, including risk mitigation, risk acceptance, and risk transfer strategies.
Ongoing Risk Monitoring
We assist in establishing ongoing risk monitoring processes to ensure you can identify and address new risks as your organization and the threat landscape evolve.
HIPAA vs HITRUST Comparison
Many healthtech companies pursue both HIPAA compliance and HITRUST certification. HIPAA is a legal requirement, while HITRUST certification can be a competitive differentiator and is often required by enterprise healthcare customers.
HIPAA Compliance
- • Federal law requiring PHI protection
- • Includes Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules
- • Required for covered entities and business associates
- • Focuses on administrative, physical, and technical safeguards
- • Ongoing compliance requirement
HITRUST Certification
- • Certification framework harmonizing multiple standards
- • Includes HIPAA plus ISO 27001, NIST, and other frameworks
- • Often required by larger healthcare organizations
- • More comprehensive than HIPAA alone
- • Certification demonstrates ongoing compliance
Common Questions About HIPAA & HITRUST Compliance
What is HIPAA compliance?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance involves implementing policies, procedures, and safeguards to protect Protected Health Information (PHI). HIPAA includes the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule, which require healthcare organizations and their business associates to protect patient data and ensure privacy.
What is HITRUST certification?
HITRUST (Health Information Trust Alliance) certification demonstrates compliance with the HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF), which harmonizes multiple compliance frameworks including HIPAA, ISO 27001, and NIST. HITRUST certification is often required by healthcare organizations and can be a competitive differentiator for healthtech companies.
What is the difference between HIPAA and HITRUST?
HIPAA is a federal law that requires healthcare organizations to protect PHI, while HITRUST is a certification framework that includes HIPAA requirements plus additional security controls. HITRUST is more comprehensive and is often required by larger healthcare organizations. Many healthtech companies pursue both HIPAA compliance and HITRUST certification.
Who needs HIPAA compliance?
HIPAA applies to covered entities (healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses) and their business associates (service providers that handle PHI). If your organization handles PHI, you likely need HIPAA compliance. This includes healthtech companies, healthcare SaaS providers, and healthcare service organizations.
What is Protected Health Information (PHI)?
PHI is any information that can be used to identify a patient and relates to their health condition, healthcare services, or payment for healthcare. This includes names, addresses, medical record numbers, diagnoses, and any other information that could identify a patient. PHI must be protected according to HIPAA requirements.
How long does HIPAA compliance take?
HIPAA compliance typically takes 3-6 months for organizations with existing security programs, and 6-12 months for organizations building their first security program. The timeline depends on your current security posture, the scope of PHI you handle, and the complexity of your systems and processes.
How much does HITRUST certification cost?
HITRUST certification costs vary based on organization size and complexity, typically ranging from $50,000 to $150,000+ for initial certification, including assessment fees, consultant fees, and the cost of implementing required controls. Ongoing certification maintenance also has annual costs.
Do healthtech startups need HIPAA compliance?
Yes, healthtech startups that handle PHI need HIPAA compliance. This includes startups building healthcare applications, telemedicine platforms, health data analytics, and other healthcare technology solutions. HIPAA compliance is often required by healthcare customers and partners, and is essential for protecting patient data.
Ready to Achieve Healthcare Compliance?
Let's discuss your HIPAA and HITRUST compliance goals and how we can help you protect patient data.