Why should your practice care about HIPAA-compliant forms?
Not using HIPAA-compliant forms is a risk your practice can’t afford to take. Without the right protections in place, your forms may:
- Expose sensitive patient data, leading to data breaches
- Violate federal regulations, resulting in steep penalties
- Damage patient trust, especially in today’s privacy-conscious environment
- Lead to lawsuits, audits or loss of business partnerships
On the flip side, using HIPAA-compliant forms can help your practice run more smoothly, allowing for:
- Streamlined intake and consent processes
- Fewer manual errors and paperwork bottlenecks
- Improved patient satisfaction with a secure and easy digital experience
- Peace of mind for practice managers who know they’re protecting their organization
What types of forms need to be HIPAA-compliant?
If a form collects PHI, it must be HIPAA-compliant. That includes:
- New patient intake forms
- Contact forms on your website
- Medical history forms
- Consent and authorization forms
- Appointment request or rescheduling forms
- Referral or prescription request forms
- Telehealth check-in forms
Even a simple “Contact Us” form on your website may be subject to HIPAA if it gathers identifiable health information. If you’re not sure which of your forms qualify, it’s safer to assume that any form collecting patient data should be compliant.