HIPAA Compliance Insights

HIPAA Security Rule

HIPAA Security Safeguards Include These Three Categories

In 2023, OCR settled with a healthcare provider for $1.3 million after an investigation revealed the organization had failed to implement even basic technical

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 28, 2025

HIPAA Security Rule

HIPAA Security Safeguards Include All of the Following

When OCR settled with Premera Blue Cross for $6.85 million in 2020, the root cause wasn't a single missing firewall or an

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 28, 2025

HIPAA SMS

HIPAA SMS Rules: How to Text About PHI Legally

In 2023, a dental practice in Texas paid a $50,000 settlement after a staff member texted a patient's diagnosis and insurance details

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 28, 2025

HIPAA Social Media

HIPAA Social Media Guidance HHS: What You Must Know

In December 2022, OCR settled with a dental practice for $23,000 after an employee responded to a negative online review by disclosing a patient&

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 28, 2025

HIPAA Social Media Rules

HIPAA Social Media Rules: What Your Workforce Must Know

In 2022, a Texas dental practice paid a $10,000 settlement after a staff member responded to a negative online review by disclosing the patient&

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 28, 2025

HIPAA Start Date

HIPAA Start Date: Key Compliance Dates You Must Know

When OCR investigates a covered entity and discovers years of noncompliance, one of the most common — and least persuasive — defenses is confusion about when HIPAA

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 23, 2025

HIPAA Subcontractor Agreement

HIPAA Subcontractor Agreement: What Your BAA Must Cover

The Downstream Liability Most Business Associates Overlook In 2023, OCR settled with a medical transcription company for over $100,000 after a breach traced not

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 23, 2025

HIPAA Telehealth

HIPAA Telehealth Platforms: What Compliance Requires

In January 2025, HHS confirmed that the temporary telehealth enforcement discretion introduced during the COVID-19 public health emergency has ended. That means every healthcare organization

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 23, 2025

HIPAA Telehealth Requirements

HIPAA Telehealth Requirements Your Organization Must Meet

When OCR announced in late 2024 that the pandemic-era telehealth enforcement discretion would not be extended indefinitely, hundreds of healthcare organizations suddenly realized they had

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 23, 2025

HIPAA Teletherapy

HIPAA Teletherapy Compliance Guidelines for 2025

When OCR settled with a behavioral health provider in 2023 for $125,000 after a therapist conducted sessions over a consumer-grade video platform without a

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 23, 2025

HIPAA Compliance

HIPAA Text Messaging Consent Form: What You Need

In early 2023, a dental practice in Texas received an OCR complaint after a staff member texted appointment reminders containing diagnosis codes to patients who

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 23, 2025

HIPAA Texting Policy

HIPAA Texting Policy: What Your Organization Must Get Right

In 2023, a small dental practice in Texas received a six-figure settlement demand from OCR after a patient complaint revealed staff were texting appointment details,

Carl B. Johnson · Feb 23, 2025