HIPAA Guidelines for Telehealth Technology

Telehealth visits rely on video conferencing, messaging, and electronic record systems to diagnose and treat patients outside the clinic setting. HIPAA secure emails, which encrypt sensitive patient data during capture, storage, and access, help facilitate safe telehealth communication. Here are a few HIPAA guidelines for telehealth platforms:

Encrypt Your Communications

HIPAA requires encrypting electronic protected health information (ePHI) in transit and at rest when using telehealth platforms. This prevents unauthorized access to patient data. You can encrypt video conferencing, messaging, file transfer, and audio communication. Cloud storage protected by the right software can safeguard ePHI at all times. Telehealth providers need to use email encryption on all virtual care channels for HIPAA compliance.

Implement User Authentication

HIPAA guidelines require user authentication to verify the identity of anyone logging in to systems containing patient data. This involves passwords, biometrics, or security keys before granting system access. Use authentication protocols to establish secure user sessions. Access control can limit each remote provider, administrator, and IT staff to only the specific telehealth functions they need.

Deploy Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

VPN technology encrypts internet traffic to block unauthorized network access. HIPAA requires VPNs to protect sensitive patient data on devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other telehealth platforms. VPN software can safeguard captured ePHI stored onsite or in the cloud. Seek a telehealth solution that integrates VPNs to encrypt data exchanged between devices and telehealth platforms.

Audit Systems for Compliance

Telehealth platforms log all user and system activity to monitor for security issues. Complete regular audits of system logs to identify gaps threatening ePHI integrity. Analyzing login attempts, data access patterns, and external network connections can detect hacking attempts. Tools help spot malicious user behavior like unauthorized PHI downloads. Audits protect patient privacy while enabling platform optimization for enhanced care delivery.

Select HIPAA-compliant Partners

Secure telehealth data online by requiring vendors to meet HIPAA requirements. Identify business associate agreements (BAAs) that obligate partners to participate in safeguarding your ePHI. Verify vendor investments in protecting patient information across their supplied solutions, services, and infrastructure. Collaborate with compliant vendors committed to data security.

Train Employees on Security Protocols

All personnel interacting with telehealth systems can follow procedures for handling ePHI. Implement communication channels through HIPAA secure emails and verify recipient identities before disclosing patient data. Report any security incidents immediately. Ongoing privacy and security training for remote care employees helps reinforce compliance and keeps employees aware of new policies affecting their role.

Enable ePHI Audits

Digital platforms can analyze data across the virtual care continuum. Regular audits can help identify system issues impacting care delivery speeds or accuracy. Baseline measurements enable performance improvements as workflows become streamlined. Audit trails allow providers to trace every step of a patient’s digital journey. Understanding where ePHI is going allows individuals to protect that information as it travels from the sender to the recipient.

Find HIPAA Secure Emails for Telehealth Platforms

HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms can deliver remote patient care by protecting patients’ privacy, safeguarding health data, enhancing security measures, and auditing system logs. Use HIPAA secure emails to protect all telehealth communications between providers and patients. Find the right vendor today to learn more about protecting your telehealth platform.