Keep Your Business Compliant: Understanding HIPAA and PIPEDA Regulations
Business owners need to be aware of the various compliance regulations that apply to them. Two of the most important compliance regulations are HIPAA and PIPEDA. These two regulations have different applicability, so business owners need to understand which one applies to them. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of HIPAA and PIPEDA, and explain which businesses need to comply with these regulations.
What is HIPAA?
HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This Act was passed in 1996, and it sets forth national standards for the protection of electronic health information. HIPAA applies to any entity that handles protected health information (PHI), which includes any information that can be used to identify an individual and that relates to the individual’s health.
Protected health information includes, but is not limited to, an individual’s name, address, birth date, social security number, medical records, and health insurance information. HIPAA requires covered entities to take certain measures to protect the confidentiality of PHI, such as implementing physical, administrative, and technical safeguards.
Covered entities that fail to comply with HIPAA can be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
What is PIPEDA?
PIPEDA stands for the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. This Act was passed in 2000, and it sets forth national standards for the protection of personal information in the private sector. PIPEDA applies to any organization that collects, uses, or discloses personal information in the course of commercial activities.
Personal information includes, but is not limited to, an individual’s name, address, birth date, social insurance number, and health information. PIPEDA requires organizations to take certain measures to protect the confidentiality of personal information, such as implementing physical, administrative, and technical safeguards.
Organizations that fail to comply with PIPEDA can be subject to civil penalties.
Which businesses need to comply with HIPAA and PIPEDA?
HIPAA applies to covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. If your business falls into one of these categories, then you need to comply with HIPAA.
PIPEDA applies to any organization that collects, uses, or discloses personal information in the course of commercial activities. If your business collects, uses, or discloses personal information, then you need to comply with PIPEDA.
If you are not sure whether your business needs to comply with HIPAA or PIPEDA, you should consult with a lawyer and a qualified Managed IT Service Provider for consultation.
Steps to maintain compliance with HIPPA and PIPEDA
There are a number of steps that businesses can take to comply with PIPEDA and HIPAA. First, businesses should identify which compliance regulations apply to them. Second, businesses should develop policies and procedures to protect the confidentiality of personal information and PHI. Third, businesses should train their employees on the importance of compliance with PIPEDA and HIPAA. Lastly, businesses should monitor their compliance programs on an ongoing basis.
By taking these steps, businesses can ensure that they are in compliance with PIPEDA and HIPAA, and avoid costly penalties.
Conclusion
HIPAA and PIPEDA are two important compliance regulations that business owners need to be aware of. These regulations have different applicability, so it is important to understand which one applies to your business. If you are not sure whether your business needs to comply with HIPAA or PIPEDA, you should consult a qualified Managed IT service provider or consult with a lawyer.
Managed IT services could stir you in the right direction and can support you through the compliance process in case your business needs to get or maintain compliance. If you have any questions or would like a free no-obligation consultation, reach out to us.
Learn more about general IT security here.