HIPAA compliance can be an overwhelming task for any dental practice. Knowing the many changes in policies, regulations, and security is a lot, not to mention the ever-present risk of penalties for noncompliance.

We have come up with a 5-point plan that will help you keep your practice compliant with the new regulations of 2022.

Stay well-read

As we have mentioned, regulations are ever-changing. This means you and your practice need to stay well-informed on anything that is HIPAA related. Make sure your information is from a reliable source to avoid any misinformation. In addition, consult with a legal practitioner familiar with healthcare law to ensure your understanding of these policies is correct.

Evaluate your compliance status

In light of the many changes to the regulations, constantly evaluate your compliance. Ensure that your office processes are in line with HIPAA policies and procedures and make any needed updates immediately. 

Always make time for compliance.

Doing the bare minimum will not cut it, you need to invest your time to remain compliant. All regulatory bodies require active participation and support from all companies. This means you need to make sure your subscriptions are paid, and that you have completed all compliance tests and training. 

Conduct a credible Security Risk Analysis (SRA)

According to most dental companies, conducting an (SRA) is the most misunderstood requirement of the Security Rule. The (SRA) was put in place in 2005 and stipulates that an (SRA) should be conducted at least once a year and whenever major changes are conducted within your office.

An SRA must contain these core elements:

An outline of potential threats and vulnerabilities

• Outline of current security measures
• The likelihood and impact of threat occurrence
• The potential level of risk
• Current security measures and risk mitigation plan

Make sure your support team is compliant

Just as you want to keep your practice compliant, you also need to make sure that the services you acquire adhere to the same standards. Outsourcing business processes is now common practice but you need to make sure that those outsourcing companies understand the need to keep their security and business processes in line with HIPAA regulations.