The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996—better known as HIPAA—plays a significant role in the medical industry. HIPAA protects patient privacy and ensures that access to patient information is limited to relevant medical providers. Everyone who handles patient information must be HIPAA-compliant, including medical couriers. When a hospital or medical facility hires a medical courier, it’s essential to work with a company that is HIPAA-compliant.
What is HIPAA, and how does it apply to medical courier services? Let’s examine how these regulations protect patient privacy.
What Is HIPAA?
Everyone who has ever been to a doctor’s office has heard of HIPAA, but most people only have a vague idea of what it actually means. HIPAA is a set of regulations that mandate standards for protecting and transferring patient information. People often primarily think of it as what keeps medical data private, but it covers much more than that. Here are some key areas HIPAA covers:
- Transfer and continuation of healthcare coverage in the event of employment change or loss
- Protection against healthcare fraud and abuse
- Industry-wide standards for billing and other processes
- Protection and confidentiality of health information
HIPAA and Medical Couriers
Because medical couriers handle private patient information, they are held to the same standards as healthcare providers and hospital employees. Medical couriers must undergo rigorous training that covers patient privacy and confidentiality, security rules, and all the principles covered under HIPAA. In addition to the rules and regulations, drivers also must understand the strict outcomes of violations.
Certification vs. Compliance
There is a difference between HIPAA certification and compliance. A courier who is HIPAA-certified has undergone the appropriate training, but being HIPAA-compliant means that they actually follow the rules. Before hiring a medical courier, hospital administrators must ensure all drivers comply with HIPAA rules. Confirming certification is a good place to start, but it’s not enough to ensure patient privacy.
Massachusetts Medical Courier | Fleet Couriers
Medical facilities in Massachusetts turn to Fleet Couriers for a medical courier that provides reliable and efficient deliveries while protecting patient privacy. Our drivers are HIPAA and OSHA-compliant to ensure all deliveries are safe and patient information remains private.