TABLE OF CONTENTSHIPAA Compliant Direct MailHIPAA is short for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The act is meant to protect the medical or health information of patients. It provides data confidentiality and security provisions for safeguarding sensitive information and allowing people to have better control over how their data is used. ![]() HIPAA applies to all organizations, including healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical companies that deal with health information on a regular basis. These companies are called HIPAA-covered entities and are supposed to carry out all their offline and online communications under its provisions. Any violation of the HIPAA provisions could attract legal action and heavy penalties. One of the main purposes of HIPAA is to regulate marketing activities that require dealing with PHI (Protected Health Information). While sending direct mail, including PHI, direct mail marketers must make sure to stay HIPAA compliant. What is HIPAA?HIPAA was brought into force in the year 1996 by Congress for two main reasons. The first reason was to regulate the use of PHI and protect it from fraud and misuse, while the other reason was to help people get healthcare insurance benefits while they shuffle between jobs. HIPAA direct mail is crucial to establish patient communications through correspondence, keeping the patient’s information on priority. You cannot expose confidential information when sending a HIPAA direct mail including fingerprints, date of birth, Identification information, license and security numbers. With HIPAA compliance, businesses have the right to safeguard their personal information. Mail items are targeted to a specific demographic audience with content related to their health. These items include Explanation of Benefits (EOB), Patient billing statements, Patient letters and notices and, more. Title 2 consists of the Privacy Rule that was established in 2003 and states the use and handling of PHI. It limits the disclosure of personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. As the name goes, the rule was formed to give absolute control of one’s own health information to people and prioritize their privacy. This rule was accompanied by several provisions and protocols that healthcare providers and other covered entities should strictly follow. One of the other rules of HIPAA is the security rule that states everything regarding data stored and transmitted electronically. It also prohibits organizations from sharing sensitive information with third parties so that the privacy rule can be honoured. Similarly, the enforcement rule makes sure that all involved parties comply with HIPAA. All violation investigations are conducted under this rule. What Is Protected Health Information or PHI?We have already come across the term PHI, so let us know more about it. PHI could be any slightest information that reveals a person’s medical data or even their identity. Even a person’s name is considered as PHI that should be protected and kept private. Find below a list of details considered as PHI:
HIPAA-Covered EntitiesAny business or individual handling PHI can be referred to as a “covered entity.” This term was coined for easy classification of entities and to determine whether they should be HIPAA compliant.
The Royal Mail, FedEx, and other mail service providers are excluded from HIPAA because they don’t have access to view, create, receive, store, or transmit PHI. They merely take letters and parcels from one place and drop them off in another without knowing the exact contents of the mail. HIPAA Compliant Mailing: The Use CasesHIPAA compliant mailing service providers like PostGrid help you send high-quality items without displaying a patient’s health condition, finances, treatment-related data, and more that is kept private. In addition to this, HIPAA compliant mailing is one of the great ways for hospitals, healthcare marketers, etc. And, they can send the following documentation:
Sending HIPAA Compliant Direct MailBasically, HIPAA restricts all hospitals, nurseries, clinics, healthcare professionals, and other healthcare providers to share data with other companies for marketing purposes, although it doesn’t stop them from marketing their own services to their patients using PHI. For example, a hospital can send direct mail, including information regarding their upcoming diabetes checkup drive to their old patients, irrespective of whether they are diabetes patients. Hence, they can use their own data for advertising but cannot share the same with outsiders. So, what can covered entities and associated businesses do to remain HIPAA compliant? Firstly, they can send out all their communications using envelopes. Avoid sending postcards or self-mailers that allow the postal workers to view your mail. It is best to stuff your mail in sealed envelopes with no windows so that all PHI is completely kept hidden. Secondly, select a HIPAA compliant direct mail solution provider like PostGrid. Its print and mail API can store your data securely while also assisting you in all your direct mail activities. Find below a few examples of healthcare documents that PostGrid can help you print and mail safely and legally:
There are many benefits of sending mail through PostGrid. You can be relieved of the stress related to dealing with PHI. With PostGrid, you can make sure that all your data is handled well and all the HIPAA provisions are followed strictly, leaving no room for legal hassles. Moreover, PostGrid offers cost-effective and all-in-one rates and speedy turnaround solutions for delivering your medical documents swiftly. Other than that, it also helps you with your direct mail planning, designing, printing, and tracking activities. Some more tips for sending HIPAA compliant direct mail are:
Wrapping UpHIPAA is meant to safeguard the interests of the general public as data breaches are happening more regularly now. It states that all medical information must be used only for relevant purposes. Hence, healthcare institutions and providers are prohibited from sharing data with outside parties for any purpose, let alone selling it. Following the rules laid down by HIPAA enables entities to avoid legal issues and fines. It also helps them target an audience relevantly and focus only on prospective customers. Streamline your direct mail activities while conducting campaigns legally. No more manual effort or mental stress. Get Started with PostGrid’s direct mail API and automate everything. Ready to Get Started?Start transforming and automating your offline communications with PostGrid The post HIPAA Compliant Direct Mail appeared first on PostGrid UK. Via https://www.postgrid.co.uk/hipaa-compliant-direct-mail/
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