"HIPAA compliant" means that a software or system complies with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA is a US federal law that establishes rules and standards for protecting health information.
Typical functions of software in the "HIPAA compliant" domain include:
Data privacy and security: Implementation of mechanisms to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of health data in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
Access control: Management of access rights for users to ensure that only authorized individuals can access protected health information.
Encryption: Encryption of transmitted and stored health data to ensure that it is protected from unauthorized access.
Audit trail: Logging of user activities and changes to health data for tracking and auditing access and modifications.
Emergency recovery: Implementation of emergency recovery and business continuity plans to ensure that health data remains available and protected even in emergencies.
Training and awareness: Training of employees on HIPAA requirements and raising awareness about handling protected health information.
Compliance monitoring: Monitoring compliance with HIPAA regulations through regular audits, security assessments, and monitoring of security events.
Business Associate Agreement (BAA): Entering into agreements with business associates to ensure the privacy and security of health data in accordance with HIPAA.