{"id":34559,"date":"2023-01-30T05:44:11","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T05:44:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/?p=34559"},"modified":"2024-01-09T08:10:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T08:10:14","slug":"build-a-hipaa-compliant-mobile-app-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carmatec.com\/blog\/build-a-hipaa-compliant-mobile-app-development\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Build a HIPAA Compliant Mobile Application in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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There is only one rule that governs the era we live in today – data is gold. The industry that deals with users’ data (sensitive or not) is bound to have some compliances in place to safeguard it. <\/span><\/p>\n

In this mobile-first era, healthcare is also not exempt from strict compliance regulations designed to prevent users’ data from being misused. <\/span><\/p>\n

There are many compliances across nations, but HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is universal on many grounds. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ensure your app meets all the requirements of HIPAA compliance by learning<\/span> how to develop a HIPAA-compliant app<\/b>. 

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What is the HIPAA act?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The HIPAA Act<\/a> ensures patient data is handled and stored securely, especially on a software platform. In addition, billing and healthcare insurance coverage information is shared for medical patients. <\/span><\/p>\n

HIPAA compliance for mobile apps was developed in 1996 to protect patients’ data, lower healthcare costs, and provide health insurance coverage to people who lost or changed their jobs. Our concern as developers and yours as app entrepreneurs is the requirement that the app protects users against data theft.

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Do You Have a HIPAA-Compliant App in Development?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Regulations governing the lawful use and maintenance of protected health information (PHI) were enacted in 1996 under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A patient’s PHI is any demographic information that can be used to identify the patient. For healthcare organizations to ensure the privacy and security of PHI, HIPAA regulation should be implemented through a culture of compliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under HIPAA, healthcare providers are not the only covered entities required to comply with the law. Business associates are also identified in the regulation. Any organization providing services related to PHI to another HIPAA-governed entity is a business associate. To name a few, this includes organizations that provide IT services, IT infrastructure, mobile app development<\/a>, and web portal development. Under HIPAA regulation, any information shared with a business associate-including healthcare apps that maintain ePHI-must be accompanied by a business associate agreement (BAA).<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of a proper HIPAA compliance program, healthcare software development<\/a> apps must also adhere to the Seven Fundamental Elements.<\/span><\/p>\n

HIPAA-compliant apps must comply with the Seven Fundamental Elements of an Effective Compliance Program to meet HIPAA privacy and security standards. There are seven elements in the Seven Elements:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Developing and implementing written policies, procedures, and standards of conduct<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Establishing a compliance officer and a compliance committee<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Providing effective training and education<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Establishing effective communication channels<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Auditing and monitoring internal processes<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. Providing well-publicized disciplinary guidelines to enforce standards<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. Taking corrective action when offenses are detected and responding promptly

    <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    HIPAA: An Overview<\/b><\/h2>\n

    In order to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information, the HIPAA Security Rule sets specific standards. The following three HIPAA security safeguards must be implemented by <\/span>HIPAA compliant apps<\/b> to protect ePHI:<\/span><\/p>\n