How Patients Can Tell if Their Healthcare Provider Is Using Secure Emails
As more private information is shared through online platforms, the need for secure and reliable data-sharing methods has grown in the healthcare industry. Secure emails offer a solution for efficient data-sharing methods that protect patient information against cyber breaches and theft. Here are some ways for patients to tell if their healthcare provider uses HIPAA secure emails:
Understanding HIPAA Secure Emails
Using a safe and private email system to send protected health information (PHI), protects against data breaches and identity theft. A HIPAA secure email requires security features, such as end-to-end encryption, that maintain the confidentiality of PHI when it is sent through internet servers. Health organizations can invest in HIPAA secure emails to enhance patient trust when personal information is shared with healthcare providers.
Identifying Secure Emails
Healthcare providers should present patients with privacy policies that certify all personal information is shielded from hacking. By reading and understanding these policies, patients can establish if their healthcare provider uses secure emails. Patients usually receive updates concerning privacy statements that inform them of any changes to security features or procedures.
Verifying Email Security
Patients can use free email verifiers to check the security of an email. These tools may provide patients with peace of mind when transferring their PHI to doctors or insurance providers. Verifying an email domain on internet search engines could also help patients verify the authenticity of an email. Domain checkers allow patients to determine the domain’s age and to which organization it is registered. This information helps confirm that an email was sent by a trusted healthcare provider.
Some healthcare providers employ cookies to assist with optimizing sites and email platforms patients interact with. Cookies ascertain that personal content is protected and can record users’ web traffic within a healthcare provider’s online portal. Information storage with the help of cookies enables patients to define trusted email platforms, which is useful for flagging emails marked as spam or suspected forgery.
Why It Matters
HIPAA secure emails offer spam blockers, end-to-end encryption, and protected domains that help safeguard patient and healthcare providers’ information. Spam blockers protect medical organizations from unsolicited messages from scammers disguising phishing emails. Phishing emails contain harmful viruses that can be used to steal personal data to sell on the black market. End-to-end encryption helps you to send and receive emails without the risk of a man-in-the-middle attack that hackers use to steal PHI for ransom. Protected domains allow healthcare providers to use protected email servers that connect with different applications and software to streamline communication with patients.
Utilizing HIPAA Secure Emails
Protection against cyber-attacks, data privacy, and secure communications are some factors to take into account when sharing information with patients and healthcare providers. Provide patients with clear and easy-to-read privacy statements and recommended verification methods to help ensure all PHI remains protected. All methods of communication between patients and health care providers, including chats and document sharing, should be HIPAA compliant. Implement HIPAA-secure emails today to maintain safe and reliable communication with your patients.
