How to Know If Your Business Is Really HIPAA CompliantHow to Know If Your Business Is Really HIPAA Compliant

Hey there,

If you run a business in healthcare—or even if you just handle patient information—you’ve probably heard of HIPAA. It’s that big, important law that protects people’s private health info. But here’s the thing: just saying “we’re HIPAA compliant” doesn’t mean you actually are.

So how do you really know?

Let’s walk through it together.

✅ 1. You Know What Counts as Protected Health Info (PHI)

First things first—do you know what PHI is? It’s not just medical records. It’s names, phone numbers, emails, billing info—anything that can link a person to their health data.

If your team doesn’t know what PHI is, you might be breaking the rules without even knowing it.

🔐 2. You Have Strong Passwords and Lock Your Devices

This one’s simple but powerful. If your team uses weak passwords or leaves laptops unlocked, that’s a big no-no. HIPAA wants you to protect data from wandering eyes—online and offline.

🧠 3. Your Team Gets HIPAA Training (And You Can Prove It)

Training isn’t a “one and done” thing. Everyone who touches PHI should get regular training—and you should keep records of it. If an auditor shows up, you’ll want to show them you’ve done your homework.

🛡️ 4. You Have a Plan for When Things Go Wrong

Even the best systems can get hacked. HIPAA doesn’t expect perfection—but it does expect a plan. Do you know what you’d do if someone stole a laptop? Or if your system got hit with ransomware?

If not, it’s time to make a plan.

🧾 5. You’ve Signed Business Associate Agreements (BAAs)

If you work with vendors—like billing companies or IT providers—they need to sign a BAA. That’s a fancy way of saying, “We promise to protect your data too.”

No BAA? No compliance.

🧑‍💻 6. You Have an IT Partner Who Gets HIPAA

Let’s be honest—HIPAA is complicated. That’s why a lot of smart business owners team up with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) who knows the rules and keeps their tech in check.

A good MSP will:

  • Keep your systems secure
  • Help you pass audits
  • Be there when things go wrong

Final Thought

HIPAA isn’t just about avoiding fines. It’s about protecting the people who trust you with their most private info. And that’s something worth doing right.

If you’re not sure where you stand, don’t worry. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s talk about how we can help.

—Peter