HIPAA compliance continues to evolve, and the stakes have never been higher. With new regulations under the Omnibus Rule and other 2024 updates, healthcare organizations, covered entities, and business associates must ensure their policies, procedures, and IT systems meet current standards. Failure to comply can result in audits, hefty fines, civil litigation, and reputational damage.

This 90-minute in-depth webinar is designed for compliance officers, practice managers, healthcare executives, and IT leaders who need a practical, scenario-based understanding of HIPAA compliance in 2024. Drawing on over 22 years of experience with federal, state, corporate auditors, and litigated cases, the session will separate myth from reality, providing actionable guidance for managing PHI, assessing risk, and implementing an effective HIPAA program.

Participants will gain insights into the latest regulatory changes, risk areas, and best practices for managing protected health information across multiple platforms—including email, texting, medical messaging, and voice data. Real-world case studies and scenarios will demonstrate how to navigate complex compliance challenges and minimize liability.

Why You Should Attend

HIPAA enforcement is increasing, and organizations face greater scrutiny than ever before. The 2022 enforcement year set record highs for audits and fines, and 2024 is expected to continue this trend. This session will empower attendees to:

• Understand the latest HIPAA updates and Omnibus Rule changes

• Recognize high-risk areas for audits and litigation

• Navigate scenarios involving texting, emailing, encryption, and portable devices

• Implement effective HIPAA policies and procedures based on real-life examples

• Learn strategies to minimize risk and maintain compliance for both covered entities and business associates

By attending, compliance officers and healthcare leaders will gain the knowledge necessary to protect their organizations from unnecessary audits, lawsuits, and penalties.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Interpret new HIPAA requirements for 2024, including updates on information access, information blocking, and notice of privacy practices.

2. Understand the role, responsibilities, and legal obligations of a HIPAA Compliance Officer.

3. Identify what constitutes Protected Health Information (PHI) under the latest definitions.

4. Evaluate risk factors associated with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), portable devices, email, and texting.

5. Apply practical strategies to avoid ransomware attacks and manage data breaches effectively.

6. Understand the federal audit process and prepare to mitigate audit findings.

7. Examine real-world litigated cases to understand potential liability and enforcement outcomes.

8. Develop robust HIPAA policies and procedures to minimize risk for both covered entities and business associates.

Detailed Areas Covered

1. 2024 HIPAA Updates

• Overview of the Omnibus Rule changes and other applicable 2024 updates

• Regulatory changes relating to Information Access, Care Coordination, and Information Blocking

• Impact of Dobbs vs. Jackson and other recent federal decisions

• Understanding new enforcement priorities and trends

2. Compliance Officer Requirements

• Key responsibilities of a HIPAA Compliance Officer

• Tools for implementing and monitoring compliance programs

• Integrating compliance within IT, HR, and clinical workflows

3. Protected Health Information (PHI)

• Updated definition of PHI in 2024

• Common misconceptions and myths clarified

• Handling complex PHI scenarios across platforms

4. Communication of PHI

• Safe practices for emailing and texting PHI

• Best practices for medical messaging and voice data

• Encryption standards and compliance strategies

5. BYOD and Portable Devices

• Managing risk for personal devices accessing PHI

• Policies to reduce exposure and unauthorized access

• Practical strategies for device security and remote work compliance

6. Business Associates and Increased Burden

• Responsibilities for business associates under new rules

• Audit and reporting requirements for third-party partners

• Ensuring contractual agreements reflect HIPAA compliance

7. Risk Management and Audits

• Federal audit process explained

• High-risk areas that trigger audits and potential litigation

• Practical steps to mitigate risk and maintain audit readiness

8. Breach Management

• Steps to take when a breach occurs

• Notification requirements under HIPAA and state laws

• Avoiding penalties and minimizing organizational impact

9. Real-Life Case Studies

• Examples of litigated HIPAA cases demonstrating liability

• Lessons learned from enforcement actions

• Strategies for preventing similar incidents in your organization

10. Enforcement and Legal Implications

• Civil and criminal penalties associated with HIPAA violations

• Understanding intersection with state negligence laws

• Best practices to avoid becoming “low-hanging fruit” for lawsuits

11. Practical Implementation Tips

• How to implement a proactive HIPAA program

• Scenario-based guidance for common compliance challenges

• Recommendations for ongoing staff training and monitoring

Who Will Benefit

This session is designed for healthcare professionals responsible for HIPAA compliance, including:

• Practice Managers and Administrators

• Compliance Officers

• IT Professionals working with medical practices or hospitals

• Business Associates (Billing Companies, Transcription Companies, IT Services, Answering Services, Home Health Agencies)

• Physicians, Nurses, and Medical Professionals

• Risk Managers

• Legal Counsel advising healthcare entities

Benefits of Attending

Participants will leave this webinar with:

• Clear understanding of new HIPAA 2024 changes and Omnibus Rule updates

• Strategies for managing PHI across multiple platforms safely

• Tools for preventing breaches and mitigating risks

• Insights from real-life litigation cases

• Knowledge to implement effective compliance programs for their organization and business associates

• Practical guidance to reduce audit exposure and legal liability