Current Status of HIPAA Compliance:
LocaRatings values user privacy and data security. However, please note that transmitting any Protected Health Information (PHI) through LocaRatings, such as a patient’s name for review solicitation, is illegal and violates both HIPAA and our Terms and Conditions. LocaRatings is not currently HIPAA compliant or CHPSE certified.
Understanding HIPAA Compliance:
Achieving HIPAA compliance necessitates extensive infrastructure changes, rigorous ongoing audits, and establishing Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with each partner. This is a complex and resource-intensive process.
Review Solicitation and HIPAA Compliance:
Soliciting reviews through LocaRatings involves transmitting PHI through a third-party software, which is not HIPAA compliant. Even sending identifiable patient information, like a name, through LocaRatings for review solicitation constitutes a violation. Engaging in such practices is strictly prohibited and carries significant legal implications.
Responding to Reviews and HIPAA Compliance:
Healthcare providers must respond to reviews with caution. A general response, such as “Thank you for your feedback. Please contact our head office at (email address) for further comments or suggestions,” is recommended. However, any direct solicitation of reviews through LocaRatings by healthcare providers can lead to HIPAA violations.
Disclaimer:
This information is for general awareness and does not constitute legal advice. Users are responsible for ensuring their use of LocaRatings complies with HIPAA and other relevant laws.
Additional Resources on HIPAA Compliance:
For further information on HIPAA compliance, the following external resources might be useful. Please note, LocaRatings is not responsible for the accuracy of content on these sites:
- What is a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement (BAA)?
- Guide to Privacy and Security of Electronic Health Information
Sincerely,
The LocaRatings Team