Is HIPAA and HITECH same or different?

During my course of discussion related to with clients from healthcare industry, one question is often asked. Do we need separate assessment for HIPAA and HITECH?

HIPAA and HITECH are two related US legislation concerning the privacy and security of patient health information. HIPAA was enacted in 1996 establishes national standards for protecting sensitive patient health information. While HITECH Act, passed in 2009, strengthened HIPAA by expanding its scope and increasing penalties for violations, particularly regarding electronic protected health information (ePHI).

SO if you are healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses (Covered entities) or an organization that handle protected health information (PHI) on behalf of covered entities (Business associates), you are required to comply and meet the HIPAA requirements.

How can Accorp help?

We at Accorp, with our team of experts possessing a wealth of experience in the healthcare industry, understand the intricacies of HIPAA and HITECH regulations. We help organizations assess their control environment to prepare for and maintain HIPAA compliance effectively.

Our services include:

• HIPAA & HITECH Risk Assessment: Identify vulnerabilities across administrative, technical, and physical safeguards for ePHI to prevent data breaches and minimize exposure.

• Gap Analysis & Benchmarking: Evaluate your current controls against HIPAA and HITECH frameworks to pinpoint areas needing improvement or modernization.

• Customized Remediation & Cyber Strategy: Tailored plans to close identified gaps, streamline cybersecurity investments, and implement zero-trust, IAM, and automation solutions—all within budget.

• Audit Preparation, Support & Reporting: Comprehensive audit readiness services including documentation, mock audits, executive reporting, and post-audit follow-up to demonstrate HIPAA compliance to regulators and stakeholders

What are the deliverables?

Once we have completed the examination, our auditors create a thorough and professional report of their findings. Reports are delivered to each organization digitally to expedite the process of sharing the report with clients and others. Our auditors also deliver recommendations to the organization for improving their processes and internal controls, if needed, to further solidify their compliance.