HIPAA compliant email communication for physical therapists requires using secure email services that support encryption to protect patient information. Physical therapists should obtain patient consent for email communication and share only the essential information following the minimum necessary rule. They must ensure their email service provider signs a business associate agreement (BAA) to maintain compliance.
HIPAA regulations for email communication
According to the HHS, "The Privacy Rule allows covered health care providers to communicate electronically, such as through email, with their patients, provided they apply reasonable safeguards when doing so.". HIPAA regulations for email communication require that covered entities use secure, encrypted email services to secure protected health information (PHI) during transmission.
Related: What happens to your data when it is encrypted?
Consent and the minimum necessary rule in email communication
Obtaining patient consent for email communication
Physical therapists should communicate the risks and benefits of email communication, obtaining written consent from patients before sharing PHI via email.
Read more: How to get consent for texting and emailing patients
Applying the minimum necessary rule in email content
Adhering to the minimum necessary rule ensures that only the essential PHI is included in emails. Physical therapists should avoid unnecessary details and focus on the communication's purpose. Therapists can reduce the risk of inadvertent disclosure by sharing only the necessary information.
Secure information sharing and encryption practices
Internal communication within the practice
Internal communication often involves discussions about patient care and treatment plans among members of the healthcare team. Implementing HIPAA compliant text messaging platforms adds an extra layer of protection, limiting access to authorized personnel and reducing the risk of unauthorized disclosures.
Encryption best practices in email communication
Ensuring encryption in both transit and at rest maintains the confidentiality of patient information. Encryption scrambles the data and makes it unreadable to unauthorized individuals.
Encryption in email communication involves using secure protocols and technologies to protect the information as it travels between the sender and the recipient. This security measure prevents unauthorized access during the transmission of PHI.
Related: Encryption at rest: what you need to know
FAQs
Can physical therapists use personal email accounts for patient communication?
Personal email accounts generally lack the necessary security features, such as encryption, required by HIPAA. Physical therapists should use HIPAA compliant email services to protect patient information.
Read more: Why personal email accounts are not HIPAA compliant
What should physical therapists do if a patient declines email communication?
If a patient declines email communication, physical therapists should respect their preference and use an alternative secure method.
How often should physical therapists review their email security practices?
Physical therapists should review their email security practices regularly, at least annually, to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations and adapt to any new security threats or technology changes.
Related: Top 10 HIPAA compliant email services
Liyanda Tembani
