Introduction
Nowadays, phone calls have made communication much more convenient and faster. You can connect to the desired persons in seconds and solve your problem. However, the flexibility and convenience might raise questions about the security and reliability of phone calls for healthcare information or patient communication.
Despite their convenience, the security and reliability of phone calls for healthcare information can be a concern. Are telephone calls HIPAA-compliant? Wondering how telephone calls can be HIPAA compliant or not? If yes, we have got you covered. This comprehensive guide is to clear the confusion of HIPAA-compliant phone calls. So, stick to this guide till the end.
Are telephone calls HIPPA compliant?
There is no surprise in making phone calls to have information about anything. People find it easier to communicate over calls than sending formal messages or emails. However, every case is not simple; for some industries, such as the healthcare industry, providing information on phone calls may count as a violation of HIPAA regulations.
Phone calls, while convenient, generally cannot be considered HIPAA compliant due to the lack of inherent security. However, healthcare providers can leverage phone calls for specific purposes under certain conditions that meet HIPAA regulations.
HIPAA Regulations for Telephone Calls
Although phone calls are not HIPAA, they often comply with HIPAA. Ensuring phone call security and protecting patient health information is crucial to leveraging phone calls to share health information with the patient. The following measures can help ensure safe phone calls without the fear of breaching HIPAA regulations.
Verify Patient or Caller
Verify patient identity before disclosing or updating them about health information. Patients or callers can be identified by their caller name, birth date, and the last 4 digits of their social security card.
Patient Written Consent
Must take patients' written consent to share health information over the phone. The consent will prove that the patient is aware of potential risks associated with the security level of sharing health information over the phone.
Make Fully Encrypted Phone Calls
As phone calls lack security, consider using encrypted software or applications for a safer side. This will help you avoid unauthorised access if you lose your phone.
Stay Relevant
During the phone call, stay vigilant about sharing general information. Keep your call concise and to the point. Avoid sharing sensitive details over the call. If the patient insists, try to stop the conversation humbly and switch to a secure communication platform.
Document the call
Note essential details such as the date, day, time, and nature of the call (appointment reminder, lab results, healthcare information or follow-up ) without mentioning any patient health information.
Conclusion
The best and recommended manner to make HIPAA-compliant phone calls is by using a reliable platform or software particularly developed to cater to the unique requirements of secure and fully encrypted phone calls. We have got you covered. Robotalker is a secure HIPAA phone calling software with improved efficiency and voice quality. Robotalker ensures transparent communication with advanced features and high-level encryption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do telephone calls need to be HIPAA compliant?
Under certain circumstances, such as the purpose of the call, the information provided on a phone call, or obtaining patient consent before exposing any health information, phone calls can be HIPAA compliant. Consider following HIPAA regulations and using encrypted software for secure phone calls.
What makes phone calls HIPAA compliant?
The nature of phone calls makes them HIPAA compliant. However, some necessary measures are a must to secure phone calls according to HIPAA regulations, such as identifying the caller's name or discussing the potential consequences of sharing patient health information over a call. Consider taking patient consent in writing to avoid further inconvenience.
How do you verify HIPAA caller?
Three things are required to verify the caller: name, date of birth, and last four digits of social security number.