(And Why That Delay Is Riskier Than They Think)
Most medical practices don’t ignore HIPAA because they don’t care.
They delay it because they’re busy, understaffed, and overwhelmed – and HIPAA feels confusing, technical, and unforgiving.
HIPAA Binders
When we discuss HIPAA compliance we hear “we’ve always done it this way”. “we are good, we have a HIPAA binder”. They rely on these old HIPAA binders that include policies created years ago. These worked at one point, but HIPAA expectations and enforcement have changed. They often lack HIPAA training documentation and updated procedures as technology has changed. Many of these binders still have plastic wrapping or are covered in dust!
HIPAA is no longer a one-time task. It’s an ongoing process, and static binders simply don’t keep up.
HIPAA Is Seen as a Cost, Not Protection
HIPAA doesn’t generate revenue, so it often falls behind. Most HIPAA compliance officers have many other responsibilities, staffing, billing, or patient care. Organizations compare the cost of compliance to nothing going wrong—so far. Unfortunately, this could end up being very costly due to one small mistake. One click of a mouse, one patient complaint, or even one disgruntled employee is all it takes to trigger an investigation from the OCR.
Major Misconception
One of the most common and costly misconceptions is “we are too small to be a target”. Smaller organizations assume hackers and enforcement focuses on hospitals. They have a false sense of security thinking… we have never had a breach. The fact is some organizations have had a breach and have not discovered it YET! Depending on the type of malicious code that may have invaded your systems, they could be waiting for the “right” time to reveal themselves. Since many small to mid-size organizations lack the security required to protect their data, they are often a larger target than hospitals. The OCR enforcement investigates ALL SIZES of organizations, no one is immune.
Fear of Technology
Online compliance systems can feel intimidating. Requiring yet another password, concerns about not understanding the terminology, and the HIPAA requirements. Organizations worry that technology will make HIPAA harder, not easier. This is rarely said out loud, but it’s very real… many organizations are concerned that an online system will expose their weaknesses, discover they are not compliant, and the lack of documentation will create liability. The truth is that gaps do not create risk, undocumented gaps do! The OCR requires organizations to identify risks and document their procedures to mitigate those vulnerabilities based on their environment.
Confusion About What HIPAA Actually Requires
HIPAA language is complex and guidance is often confusing. Many organizations ask, “is this really required”, “are we doing enough”, and “what does the OCR really expect”. Then they delay facing the Elephant in the room. Documentation becomes outdated, training records go missing, risk analyses are not updated, and business associate agreements are not signed.
When an incident occurs, then everyone scrambles, and even more mistakes are made. How well do you trust your compliance efforts? Remember, when the OCR investigates an incident, they review ALL your compliance records, not just the one incident.
A Better Way Forward
If someone asked for your HIPAA documentation tomorrow, would you feel confident—or stressed?
If the answer is stress, that’s not a failure – it’s a sign it’s time for support.
HIPAA compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming, technical, judgmental, or confusing. An online system should be easy to navigate and increase your productivity. If it is too cumbersome, or you are still using a binder, it may be time to look at a better solution. We are here to help!
Aris Medical Solutions helps medical practices and business associates understand HIPAA expectations and reduce risk- step by step.
Our HIPAA Keeper™ was designed to help organizations:
- Understand where they stand
- Organize required documentation
- Maintain compliance over time
- Be prepared if questions ever arise
Additionally, you will have a HIPAA security analyst to guide and assist you when you need help.
To find out where you stand with your compliance, schedule a free HIPAA checkup today at Aris Medical Solutions.
