Since the beginning of the global pandemic and stay-at-home orders, Zoom’s stock has grown nearly 250% from last year. With most business meetings, happy hours, and doctor’s appointments going digital, it is important to consider whether these communication forms are safe for sensitive information. Is Zoom HIPAA Compliant? Let’s explore!
What is HIPAA Compliance?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) details privacy and security standards that help protect confidential information. The HIPAA requirements for video include:
- Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all electronic PHI the covered entity creates, receives, or transmits.
- Protect against any reasonably anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information.
- Protect against any reasonably anticipated uses or disclosures of such information that are not permitted or required under the privacy regulations.
- Ensure compliance with its workforce.
Telemedicine Growth increases Zoom use
The increased usage of telemedicine due to the global pandemic and social distancing requirements has caused HIPAA regulations to loosen. Doctors are now able to utilize video conferencing applications, like Zoom, to communicate with their patients. Before COVID-19, doctors had many more rules and regulations surrounding which video-conferencing apps were HIPAA compliant.
Is Zoom really HIPAA compliant?
While Zoom had a few hiccups at the beginning of quarantine with some hackers getting into meeting rooms, they now have it down to a science. Zoom now has special accounts for healthcare professionals communicating with their patients.
It is essential that health care personnel enter into business associate agreements with Zoom before using the platform for telemedicine purposes. This agreement is a confirmation that Zoom and the user are aware of their responsibility regarding the privacy and the security of protected health information.
Telemedicine is the way of the future. Not only does it keep you socially distanced during the global pandemic, but it can also reduce your healthcare costs, and provide added convenience to typical doctor visits. Want to know more about telemedicine? Contact us.
