Safeguarding Trust: Data Security and Privacy in Holistic Therapy Practices
In today’s digital world, holistic therapy practices must prioritize data security to protect patient privacy and comply with HIPAA guidelines. This article offers actionable steps to strengthen data protection and ensure client confidentiality.
Eric Schneider
Managing DirectorIn today’s digital world, much of a person’s medical information is stored online, which makes accessing information easier for patients, medical personnel – and, unfortunately, hackers. Holistic therapy data security is vital to the success of practices, as is protecting your patient’s privacy and complying with HIPAA guidelines. This blog has actionable steps you can take to strengthen your holistic therapy data privacy.
Understanding HIPAA and Client Confidentiality
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPPA as it’s usually known, is a federal law that protects patient privacy and sensitive information. Passed in 1996, HIPPA does not just apply to traditional medical practices – it applies to holistic therapy practices too.
Understanding the HIPAA Privacy Rule and what qualifies as Protected Health Information (or PHI) is necessary from an ethical standpoint and a legal compliance standpoint. PHI is generally understood as information about health care that can be linked to a specific person: the HIPAA Journal offers a more in-depth dive into what exactly is considered protected health information.
If your organization is a “covered entity” as defined by the CDC, complying with HIPAA provisions is a matter of legality. But it’s also a matter of trust and patient confidentiality. Patients seeking out holistic therapy practices must feel assured of the safety of their information. They may be dealing with vulnerable transitions or emotionally sensitive memories that must be kept private. Going above and beyond HIPAA rules creates an organizational culture that is confidential, safe, and trustworthy.
Best Practices for Secure Data Management
Holistic therapy data security is an ongoing task for alternative practices. As data security evolves, so too do the threats against it: scammers, phishing, and malware present a constant challenge to manage.
Having a foundation of organizational best practices for holistic therapy data privacy makes it easier for a practice to keep patient data secure.
Informed Consent During Intake
When tracking information digitally, informed consent from the patient is important so they understand what Personal Health Information is being collected and used, and what can and cannot be disclosed. Informed client consent is key to mitigating potential legal risks should a data breach occur.
Data collected on patients is stored as an Electronic Health Record, or EHR. EHRs make data tracking and analysis easier and allow patients to access records across offices, but they can also present a data security risk. Working with an EHR platform that aligns with HIPAA requirements can make ongoing data security practices simpler.
Data Security Measures
Securing electronic client data requires a multi-pronged approach that is updated regularly. Best practices include:
- Protocols for strong passwords that change with regularity
- Encrypting sensitive client data when in transit and at rest.
- Regular, mandatory updates for your security software on all devices that access client records
- Access controls to limit and record people who can access client data
Data Backup & Restoration
What will you do if client data is wiped from your servers? It’s a catastrophic “what-if” for any medical practice, but it’s one that’s necessary to consider in advance. How often and where will you back up client data?
A disaster recovery plan for data helps you plan for the worst before it happens. While many platforms offer redundancies to reduce the risk of data disasters, emergencies happen. Planning for one helps your organization remain calm in the face of one.
The Role of Insurance in Data Security
Another important piece of strong data security practices is, perhaps, unexpected: insurance. The proper umbrella of insurance coverage helps protect you from risk on all sides, including digitally.
Errors and Omissions
Tech Errors and Omissions policies cover you when something else fails. A small glitch or technical failure can cause downstream financial problems and third-party loss. This policy offers protection against legal issues arising from claims of substandard products where traditional professional liability coverage ends.
Cyber Liability
Today’s digital world is a playground for hackers and phishers and attacks are costly. For most businesses, a cyber attack (or warding one off) is just a matter of time before when it happens. If PHI is stolen during an attack, your organization risks lawsuits and fines. Cyber liability helps protect your bottom line from sophisticated infiltration attacks, covering the cost of things like data restoration, monitoring, and reimbursement.
In addition to insurance policies, it’s important for you and your staff to stay up to date on evolving best practices for data security. Regular training sessions on data security, identifying phishing scams, and client confidentiality help keep compliance and safety top of mind.
As more people seek out alternative therapy practices, the importance of data security (and the cost of a data breach) increases. Take a multi-faceted approach to keeping your organization and your patient’s data secure.
Protecting your holistic wellness company can seem confusing; however, we’re a full-service insurance brokerage working with carriers worldwide to offer you the best coverage possible. We’re here to help! Please reach out to us today by email [email protected] or calling 646-854-1093 for a customized letter or learning more about your holistic wellness insurance options.
