Compliance Risks from Legacy Telehealth Platforms
Telehealth Platform's compliance issues are generated most often because legacy telehealth platforms are repurposed video conferencing software. Despite claiming HIPAA compliance, they lack essential security features such as secure invite links, patient logins, and provider authentication and identity protection. Healthcare providers who use these platforms are exposed to legal and financial risks because of deficiencies on HIPAA requirements such as:
Security (45 CFR § 164.306(a)): confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI).
Authentication (45 CFR § 164.312(d)) of individuals accessing PHI with access controls, including logins and usernames.
Encryption (45 CFR § 164.312(e)(1)) of ePHI transmitted over electronic networks to protect against unauthorized access.
Verification (45 CFR § 164.514(h)) of identity and credentials of all providers using the telehealth platform.
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) suspended enforcement related to telehealth. However, this ended when the PHE expired on May 11, 2023. Providers who use non-compliant platforms now expose themselves to civil and criminal penalties:
Civil Penalties: Providers using non-compliant platforms may face civil penalties ranging from $127 to $63,973 per violation, with an annual cap of $1.9 million for repeated violations.
Criminal Penalties: Criminal charges can be levied against providers who knowingly violate HIPAA rules, leading to fines of $50,000 and 1 year imprisonment per violation, depending on breach severity.
Provider Responsibilities as per HHS Guidelines
According to HHS, healthcare providers are responsible for ensuring that their chosen telehealth platform meets all necessary security and compliance standards. If a breach occurs due to inadequate platform security, the liability lies with the provider who picked a platform without required safeguards:
Unauthorized Access and Data Breaches: Hackers can easily exploit the lack of secure invite links and patient logins to gain access to confidential patient data.
Identity Theft and Fraud: Without proper provider authentication and identity protection, telehealth platforms are at risk of identity theft especially if malicious actors can usurp a provider's identity.
CentiBlick: The Compliant & Secure Telehealth Platform
CentiBlick is designed from the ground up to address the security and compliance shortcomings of legacy telehealth platforms. CentiBlick ensures secure, HIPAA and HHS compliant user interactions:
· Secure Invite Links and Patient Logins: ensuring that only authorized users can access telehealth sessions. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
· Provider Authentication and ID Protection: preventing identity theft and ensuring that only verified providers can access sensitive patient data.
· HIPAA, FedRAMP, GDPR, ISO & HITRUST Certification: compliance with major security standards and certifications demonstrating commitment to data security and patient privacy.
Swap the Link: CentiBlick makes Compliance Simple
CentiBlick makes adopting compliant telehealth incredibly simple, ensuring that healthcare providers can focus on patient care without worrying about complex IT setups or security issues. CentiBlick allows providers to start delivering secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth appointments in minutes without intricate integrations and time-consuming configurations.
Simply sign up, and you're ready to go with secure links for all your virtual visits.
Powered by AWS Health Cloud, CentiBlick offers enterprise security and scalability. CentiBlick is designed to handle the growing needs of healthcare providers, from small practices to large hospitals, while ensuring secure interactions.
Video conferencing with CentiBlick is world-class, supported by AWS’s robust infrastructure. It includes an integrated chat function, making it easier for healthcare providers and patients to communicate in real time.
CentiBlick has a live connection with more than 30,000 EHRs, and patented secure technology which means patient health data and history can be seamlessly accessed, eliminating the hassle of manually uploading or syncing information.
Additionally, healthcare-friendly features such as appointments management, scheduling, and encounter summaries are built into the platform to enhance the overall experience. All of this comes in a user-friendly, customizable interface that’s tailored to meet your specific needs. You can even incorporate your own branding—adjusting colors, logos, and names to maintain a consistent patient experience.
Lastly, with pricing in line with basic and non-compliant platforms, CentiBlick offers unmatched value for providers who need a compliant solution without the high costs. Swap the link and switch to CentiBlick today for compliant, secure telehealth that’s ready in minutes!
Join the Telehealth Revolution Begin your free trial with CentiBlick and join the ranks of healthcare providers who prioritize the safety and security of their telehealth services.
Secure telehealth is not just a feature; it's a fundamental necessity. Choose CentiBlick, where security is never an afterthought—it’s the foundation of our service.