Paubox blog: HIPAA compliant email made easy

Paubox Weekly: Paubox Texting now supports attachments

Written by Dean Levitt | June 28, 2024

Hello world,

Today’s Paubox Weekly is 523 words - a 2 minute read.

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1. Paubox Texting now supports attachments

Paubox Texting now supports the ability to send attachments. This applies to HIPAA compliant text messages sent to both iPhone and Android devices.

What's next: We're building support for generative AI within Paubox Texting. This will effectively make Paubox Texting an AI agent.

We've also built support for read receipts


 

 

 

 

2. Geisinger data breach affects over 1 million patients

Geisinger Health System has notified more than one million patients that their personal information may have been accessed by a former employee of their IT service provider.

The bottom line: Providers must improve their access controls and immediately revoke terminated employees’ access to PHI. 

The perpetrator is facing federal charges

 

 

3. Court declares HHS online tracking 'bulletin' unlawful

Texas has ruled in favor of the AHA, declaring that the HHS overstepped its authority by issuing unlawful "bulletins" restricting the use of third-party web technologies on public-facing websites.

Why it matters: The court's ruling represents a victory for healthcare providers, who have long advocated for their right to use necessary data-driven tools to better serve their communities.

"The OCR does not have 'interpretive carte blanche'"


 

 

 

4. The what, why, and how of sending HIPAA compliant emails

Email is an indispensable tool for healthcare providers to communicate with patients, share sensitive information, and coordinate care

The bottom line: Paubox delivers encryption by default on 100% of emails that go out.

The consequences of HIPAA violations can be severe



 

5. Change Healthcare begins sending breach notifications

UnitedHealth Group has begun notifying impacted entities of the Change Healthcare data breach and revealing what information was stolen. 

What's new: The organization confirmed they began notifying impacted entities on June 20th. Change Healthcare also said it will begin mailing breach notifications to individual victims in late July.  

Nearly 30% of Americans' were impacted by the event


 

Community links

  • Aptihealth business associate's breach affects nearly 20,000 patients. Link
  • OCR ensures individuals with disabilities can live independently. Link
  • Whistleblower surgeon could face 10 years in prison for exposing PHI. Link
  • Are mental health professionals covered entities under HIPAA? Link
  • Obtaining patient consent for text message communication. Link
  • Who is responsible for adhering to HIPAA compliant practices? Link
  • Ensuring HIPAA compliance when collecting patient feedback. Link
  • Russian hackers leak 300 million NHS patient interactions. Link
  • What is the CARES Act? Link
  • Do forensic psychiatrists' court reports need to be HIPAA compliant? Link
  • Using HIPAA compliant email for caregiver updates. Link
  • Improving quality of life for healthcare providers with HIPAA compliant email. Link

 

Good reads from around the web

  • Colorado’s Artificial Intelligence Act impact on healthcare decisions. Link
  • Big Pharma’s fight against drug price reforms takes weird, desperate turn. Link
  • DOJ charges nearly 200 people over $2.7 billion in health care fraud schemes. Link
  • [Video] Felons, marijuana users and guns & HIPAA protections. Link
  • How healthcare leaders can turn the burnout problem into an opportunity. Link

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