HIPAA History
How Long Has HIPAA Been Around? A 30-Year History
In August 1996, President Bill Clinton signed a law that most people in healthcare couldn't even pronounce correctly. Thirty years later, that same
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HIPAA Compliance
HIPAA regulations, compliance requirements, and violation prevention
Google Voice HIPAA
Is Google Voice HIPAA Compliant? What You Must Know
A therapist I consulted with last year was using the standard Google Voice app to confirm appointments, send session reminders, and even discuss medication changes
PHI Disclosure
PHI To Third Parties: What HIPAA Actually Allows
A hospital employee in Texas forwarded a patient's lab results to a family member who called and asked nicely. No written authorization. No
HIPAA Fines
Fines for Violation of HIPAA: What They Cost in 2026
In February 2023, Banner Health agreed to pay $1.25 million to the Office for Civil Rights after a breach exposed the ePHI of nearly
American Health Training HIPAA
American Health Training HIPAA: What Actually Works
A 22-employee cardiology practice in Tennessee paid $2.3 million to settle HIPAA violations in 2020 — and the root cause wasn't a sophisticated
Certification for HIPAA
Certification for HIPAA: What Actually Matters in 2026
Here's something that surprises most people in healthcare: HHS does not issue or endorse any official certification for HIPAA. There's no
Covered Entity
A Covered Entity Is: Who HIPAA Actually Applies To
Last year I got a call from the owner of a medical billing company in Ohio. She'd just received a letter from the
HIPAA Compliant Texting
Text Messaging HIPAA Compliant: What You Must Know
The Text That Cost a Practice Everything A physician texted a colleague a photo of a patient's wound for a quick consult. Standard
Administrative Simplification
Administrative Simplification: What HIPAA Really Demands
The Part of HIPAA Nobody Reads — Until It Costs Them In 1996, Congress passed HIPAA with a goal most people have forgotten. It wasn'
HIPAA Compliant Checklist
HIPAA Compliant Checklist: What You Actually Need in 2026
The Spreadsheet That Cost a Health System $5.1 Million In 2017, Memorial Healthcare System paid $5.1 million to HHS after employees accessed the
OCR HIPAA
OCR HIPAA Enforcement: What's Changed and What It Means
A single unencrypted laptop stolen from a parked car cost Concentra Health Services $1,725,220. The laptop contained patient names, dates of birth, Social
Business Associates
Examples of Business Associates HIPAA: Who Counts?
The Vendor That Cost a Health System $4.3 Million In 2016, Advocate Health Care agreed to pay $5.55 million to HHS after multiple