Remote work has increased in popularity over the last few years, drastically changing the traditional workplace. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, telecommuting and remote work policies were widely implemented in the US, along with office closures. While some employees have gone back to work, the majority continue to perform their duties away from the office. Telehealth services now face additional HIPAA Compliance challenges as a result of this change.
Advantages
Data breaches can be avoided or reduced if remote workers are held to the same standards as office workers. HIPAA recommends that covered entities and business partners who work remotely use secure remote access software for storing and monitoring ePHI. The benefits of HIPAA compliance for remote work are as follows.
- Get customized solutions
- Provide telehealth services
- End-to-End encryption
- HIPAA Compliant Messaging
- Reduced Legal Risk
- Patient consent for telehealth
- Provide consistent security
- Data encryption standards
- Use of Versatile applications
How to Maintain HIPAA Compliance When Working From a Distance
It is essential to remember that remote work policies do not automatically constitute an unauthorized violation of any of the HIPAA guidelines.
Even before the pandemic made remote work necessary, this was a reality. However, HIPAA compliance in remote work environments requires additional measures and concerns.
Restricting Access for Workers
Managing who has access to sensitive information is crucial for HIPAA compliance when working remotely. Employees shouldn’t have access to protected materials or patient data unless they perform work that requires it. Because of this restriction, the likelihood of a widespread security breach is greatly diminished.
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