Welcome to our guide on Telehealth & HIPAA. As more people turn to virtual care, it is important to know how your patient data is kept safe. This article will show you the rules and security measures that protect your health information.
The Growth of Telehealth in the United States
The use of telehealth services has risen a lot in the United States. This shows a big change in how healthcare works. It started out as something small. Then, it quickly became a tool that many needed to use. The number of visits went from 840,000 in 2019 to 52.7 million in 2020.
This fast growth of telehealth services has changed how people get care. Now, virtual care is here to stay and will be part of healthcare for good. Next, we will look at what this means for patient privacy and how people get care.
HIPAA and Its Relevance to Telehealth
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) makes the rules for how health information is kept safe in the United States. These rules matter a lot to telehealth platforms. They must follow HIPAA so your data stays safe when you use online health care.
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Telehealth Privacy
There are many rules about privacy that impact telehealth services. These rules come from both the federal government and states. Together, they help protect your health information in a strong way. One of the most important things in these laws is getting patient consent.
These privacy regulations make sure that telehealth providers must follow strict rules to keep your information safe. This happens no matter which state you or your provider are in. Next, we will look at how these laws work together and talk about the groups that make sure telehealth providers follow the rules.
Key HIPAA Rules That Safeguard Your Telehealth Data
Two main HIPAA rules are at the heart of telehealth security. They are the Privacy Rule and the Security Rule.
The Privacy Rule controls how your information can be used. The Security Rule lays out what security measures must be in place to guard your patient data. Here is what each of these hipaa rules means.
Essentials of the HIPAA Security Rule in Virtual Settings
The HIPAA Security Rule is made to keep your electronic health information safe when it is created, received, used, or kept by a provider. If you are using telehealth platforms, this rule says there must be security measures in place to protect your data. It looks at how both technical and not-so-technical safeguards can help keep your health information secure.
Telehealth providers have to put three kinds of safeguards in place:
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Administrative Safeguards: These are rules like running a risk assessment, and also making sure their staff are trained in how to follow security steps.
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Physical Safeguards: These rules control who can get into buildings and access the electronic systems where your health information is kept.
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Technical Safeguards: These use things like encryption and access control to help stop unauthorized access to your data.
Doing all these things helps telehealth providers build a secure environment and keep your health information safe from threats or from people getting in that should not. That means your virtual care stays private and your information stays safe.
Technical Safeguards: Encryption and Access Controls
Technical safeguards work like digital locks and keys. They keep your health data safe. The HIPAA Security Rule says that telehealth platforms must use tools like encryption protocols and access control. These tools help stop data breaches and keep your information safe.
These steps are very important for telehealth security. They protect your health data when it is stored and also when it is sent. It is good to look at why end-to-end encryption and the "minimum necessary" approach for access are so key for keeping your data safe.
Why End-to-End Encryption Matters for Telehealth Sessions
End-to-end encryption is a key security measure in telehealth technology. This kind of protection keeps your video conferencing session safe. It works by scrambling what you send from your device to your provider's device. You and your provider have the only "key" to make the data clear again.
Even if someone else gets the data, they cannot read it. This is why video calls are safe and meet HIPAA regulations in telehealth. The call stays private, just like a visit in a closed exam room.
Using platforms with strong encryption protocols is needed for your privacy. It helps keep the talk between you and your healthcare professional. No one else can view or listen to the conversation.
Connect With Healthon’s Care Team
Starting your journey with telehealth services should feel both safe and helpful. At Healthon, our care team is ready to help you at any time, day or night. We want to make your health care simple and safe, every step of the way. If you have any questions about telehealth services or need help with our platform, we are always here to support you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What steps can I take to keep my telehealth sessions private?
To help keep your telehealth privacy safe, try to have your appointment in a quiet and private spot. It is good to use a secure, password-protected Wi-Fi network and not a public one. You should also make sure your device has a passcode and the latest security software. These steps help you have a secure environment.
Are there extra privacy risks with telehealth compared to in-person care?
Telehealth services do not have the same privacy risks as seeing a doctor in person. These risks mostly come from how digital data is sent and stored. But there are good ways to keep your health information and patient data safe. By using strong HIPAA compliance, good encryption, and safe platforms, these risks can be managed well.
What should I do if I suspect a privacy issue during a telehealth visit?
If you worry about security concerns or think there is a privacy problem, tell your telehealth provider right away. You also have the right to make a complaint to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights. This office will look into possible HIPAA problems.
Reference List
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Department of Health & Human Services. (2024). HIPAA Privacy Rule summary. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html
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Office for Civil Rights. (2024). Telehealth security best practices. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/best-practice-guides/privacy-and-security-telehealth/privacy-laws-and-policy-guidance
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American Heart Association. (n.d.). Common telehealth privacy concerns for patients.
https://www.heart.org/en/professional/telehealth/telehealth-patient-resources/common-concerns-privacy -
Bask Health. (n.d.). Telehealth privacy and security considerations.
https://bask.health/blog/telehealth-privacy-and-security -
360training. (n.d.). HIPAA rules on telehealth compliance.
https://www.360training.com/blog/hipaa-rules-on-telehealth-compliance -
HIPAA Exams. (n.d.). HIPAA guidelines on telemedicine.
https://www.hipaaexams.com/blog/hipaa-guidelines-on-telemedicine-a-complete-guide -
National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Telehealth growth and privacy implications.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9860467/ -
Paubox. (n.d.). HIPAA privacy requirements for telehealth.
https://www.paubox.com/blog/what-are-hipaas-privacy-requirements-for-telehealth -
Purdue Global Law School. (n.d.). Telehealth and HIPAA during COVID-19.
https://www.purduegloballawschool.edu/blog/news/telehealth-hipaa-during-covid-19 -
Schellman. (n.d.). How to ensure your telehealth is HIPAA compliant.
https://www.schellman.com/blog/healthcare-compliance/how-to-ensure-your-telehealth-is-hipaa-compliant -
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Telehealth HIPAA privacy and security guidance.
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/telehealth-privacy-security/index.html - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Telehealth and HIPAA overview.
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/telehealth/index.html
