LeadSquared is a customer relationship management (CRM) company with multiple tools combined within its systems for its customers. Healthcare organizations might want to use such a platform to better connect and communicate with patients and other healthcare providers. To do so, however, those within the healthcare industry need to work with platforms that are HIPAA compliant.
In the healthcare industry, sensitive protected health information (PHI) must be safeguarded under HIPAA. A major part of this compliance is working with vendors who will sign a business associate agreement (BAA) and ensure the security of PHI. LeadSquared will sign a BAA with its healthcare customers and may be HIPAA compliant.
What is LeadSquared?
LeadSquared, headquartered in India, is primarily a CRM that includes different tools (i.e., a developer platform). As a group, the tools provide comprehensive, personalized interactions with customers and other business professionals. With LeadSquared, organizations can capture and manage leads, sales, and analytics from one platform. Benefits include:
- Reduced lead leakage and increased lead prioritization
- Automated sales and marketing processes
- Detailed sales and marketing analytics
LeadSquared also integrates with several other apps, such as Acuity Scheduling, Facebook, and Calendly, among others. The company can cater its products to healthcare professionals and provides information about its offerings on separate web pages. Products include its CRM, marketing automation, telehealth, analytics, and electronic health record (EHR) integration.
SEE ALSO: What is healthcare CRM?
Is LeadSquared considered a business associate?
HIPAA applies to covered entities, which include healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses. It also applies to business associates (i.e., vendors) of these covered entities. These are entities that perform certain functions or activities on behalf of a covered entity.
A BAA is a written contract between a covered entity and a business associate. It outlines the responsibilities and obligations of each party regarding the handling of PHI. Typical provisions within a BAA include:
- Permitted uses and disclosures of PHI
- Safeguards for protecting PHI
- Reporting and mitigation of security incidents
- Compliance with HIPAA regulations
- Dispute resolution and termination clauses
The agreement is required by law for HIPAA compliance and is considered the primary item to consider when it comes to LeadSquared and its ability to be HIPAA compliant. LeadSquared is a business associate of a healthcare organization if it accesses any PHI within any of its datasets, like a name.
RELATED: How to know if you're a business associate
LeadSquared and the BAA
Generally, the HIPAA Privacy Rule allows healthcare providers to disclose PHI if they receive assurance that the information is protected through a signed BAA. When we looked up LeadSquared in 2021, the company stated that it would sign an agreement with every healthcare organization and covered entity that it works with. This is still true today.
On a healthcare web page, LeadSquared asserts that it “offers HIPAA compliant Healthcare CRM software with BAA in place to maintain PHI security.”
LeadSquared, CRM services, and data security
In 2023, we created a HIPAA compliant checklist for CRM services to help healthcare organizations find a compliant company. A good CRM platform organizes patient data efficiently, reduces work time, improves marketing strategy, and personalizes customer interaction. Many CRM systems are available to healthcare organizations, but not all meet HIPAA requirements of encryption, data backup, and access controls.
LeadSquared includes much information about healthcare, HIPAA compliance, and cybersecurity on its website. Foremost, its BAA ensures that it will protect sensitive data with encryption at rest and in transit. In fact, LeadSquared hosts its data on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Any stored information is therefore protected by AWS’ security features.
Beyond strong encryption and storage, the company also maintains that it uses other robust security measures, such as
- Access controls
- Firewalls
- Controlled audits
- Data backup
- Employee awareness training
Is LeadSquared HIPAA compliant?
The BAA is a necessary component of HIPAA compliance, and LeadSquared will sign a BAA with its healthcare clients, stating emphatically that it abides by HIPAA guidelines.
Conclusion: LeadSquared may be HIPAA compliant.
Understanding HIPAA compliance
Healthcare providers know that clear and efficient communication with patients is necessary to run a successful practice. When evaluating a platform’s HIPAA compliance, especially on the cloud, consider the following security needs beyond a BAA:
- Technical safeguards: Mitigate risks associated with cyber threats, hacking, malware, and other security incidents with strong technical safeguards. Such tools as perimeter defenses (e.g., firewalls) and HIPAA compliant email are equally vital for extra protection.
- Employee training: Ensure all staff members have up-to-date knowledge of HIPAA regulations and best practices. Regular training sessions can help prevent unintentional, employee-related breaches.
- Regular audits: Perform periodic assessments of all systems and processes to ensure that they remain compliant. Adapt to any changes in regulations or technology.
- Data access controls: Implement stringent controls, such as multifactor authentication, on who can access PHI and under what circumstances.
Kapua Iao
