The US healthcare sector repeatedly struggles to counter challenges to the security of patient data. The US government, HIPAA covered organizations, medical claims billing, and related businesses have all made steps to secure patient data, but data security breach instances are still unavoidable, and the number of breaches is growing daily.

Following patient data has been shown to be vulnerable after an analysis of recent data dumps.

1. Patient data, demographic
2. Patient clinical information
3. Financial, billing, and credit information for patients

What Leads to Data Leaks?

In the US healthcare billing sector, there are many data leak events that include hospitals, medical claims billing, medical claims processing, and other large-scale patient data processing companies. Additionally, the majority of patient data leaks that occurred in the United States were caused by one of the factors listed below.

1. Phishing
2. Intrigued behaviour
3. Ignorance
4. Shoddy data security control
5. Natural Catastrophe
6. Technical difficulties

Guidelines for information security to prevent data loss and leaks:

All healthcare organizations that handle patient data should take responsibility for protecting that data and abide by certain rules to prevent risks.

1. Confined to a shared network:

Commonly exchanging medical data files, accessing the system remotely, and using wireless networks to obtain protected patient data can all pose threats to the confidentiality of information and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

2. Strict email policy:

Healthcare personnel who must communicate through email should be the only ones who have unfettered email access, according to organizations. Another significant concern to patient data is webmail access. Employees with the option of working from home or who travel frequently are typically given access to webmail. Even when there is a requirement to view emails from a distance, access may only be granted when absolutely necessary to prevent unethical webmail usage. Health care personnel should possess thorough knowledge of information security standards for email policies.

3. Portable media policy:

Nowadays, the majority of healthcare billing companies abide by the “portable media policy,” which forbids employees from bringing portable storage devices to work. No matter their title, all healthcare organizations and healthcare personnel must adhere to this scrupulously. Prior approval may be granted for good cause, and this must be documented. Numerous studies show that restricting the use of portable media in the workplace significantly reduced data thefts.

4. Restricted Internet access:

Full internet access poses a serious danger to data security. Medical claims billing and processing businesses must be able to decide whether or not to give staff members unfettered internet access. In some circumstances, even accidental online information exchange might result in data breaches. Furthermore, sharing personal health information with peers via file-sharing websites and instant messaging might pose a serious risk to the confidentiality of patient data.

5. Biometric access management:

In order to keep trespassers out of the secure workplace environment who could function as information carriers, biometric access control is essential. By ensuring that only authorized individuals enter the workplace, biometric access control safeguards patient information.

The majority of the aforementioned recommendations may be fulfilled by establishing an effective “system security plan” that aids in preventing data leaks and data losses.

Following HIPAA regulations for US healthcare complaints is essential:

Information security is emphasized in many healthcare compliance policies and regulations. We are all aware that the most detailed compliance regulation concentrating on patient data protection is HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). However, very few businesses fully adhere to HIPAA compliance in terms of patient data protection requirements. Every healthcare institution should make sure that it complies with HIPAA and other information security regulations in order to protect patient data.