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Top 5 HIPAA web hosting services that are compliant for WordPress

Mar 24, 2023

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Your HIPAA policy officer has to complete a checklist that is as long as their arm to make sure your company is following all regulations.

And failure to comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards can lead to steep fines.

It could mean imprisonment and fines upwards of $50,000 for each offense (up to $1.5 million a year). This is a serious risk for top-tier criminals!

For smaller businesses, HIPAA compliance can be especially tough - tough to understand andafford. But you're also the ones who can least afford to be stung by high-cost penalty fees.

Don't worry, though. We're here for you.

We've put together a list of servicesthat'll ensure your information is safe as well as secure, while adhering to all HIPAA regulations (at the very least, when it comes to the ground).

Additionally, we'll go over the necessary features and certifications that are required. This way, you'll be able to check our processes and sleep at ease that your information is safe.

Now let's move on to the next step!

Do I Need HIPAA-Compliant Web Hosting?

Even if you're outside the U.S.

HIPAA is developed to safeguard the protected health information (PHI) from Americans no matter where they may be located wherever they are in the world. If you're conducting transactions online, HIPAA compliance is your best bet, no matter where you are.

Although you're probably not involved working in the field of healthcare, you'll have to comply with HIPPA if you handle PHI in your service.

As telemedicine is growing in popularity and remote monitoring for patients the need for HIPAA-compliant hosting has become essential more than ever. Actually, non-compliant website hosts even prohibit the using their services to websites that fall under HIPAA guidelines.

It is essential to note that if you have any kind of medical records on your website - from patient records to prescriptions and more - it is essential to use HIPAA-compliant hosting for your website.

Here's the reason it's worth it...

The reason to establish an Online Healthcare Business?

There are many websites like Zocdoc as well as Betterhelp that offer health care providers the opportunity to connect with clients via an online platform.

They're huge and powerful, and could make you want to skip the hassle in creating your own web site. You shouldn't!

Here are a few advantages to having your own website is the ideal choice...

1. More Control Over Ownership and Profits

Third-party platforms may make a significant portion of your earnings. Additionally it is common to pay membership fees. They're also at full liberty to alter fees and the terms and conditions at moment of need.

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In particular, Zocdoc recently changed its pricing structure to a fixed annual rate of $3000 for each provider. Now, Zocdoc healthcare providers have to pay a flat fee per new patient in addition to an annual licensing fee.

The more business you generate via third-party platforms more you're at their mercy. And that just doesn't make the most sense for business.

2. Build an Intimate Community of Patients

When you use WordPress and  other platforms, you can have greater control over the pricing. You'll also be able to build communities around your services.

Patients appreciate the personal touch provided by an individual healthcare practitioner they can contact when they are in need.

Additionally, you are able to include additional resources such as resources and advice that your patients can easily consult and access.

For example, customer New Hope Counseling & Wellness Center can provide counselling and therapy on their website.

They also regularly upload content that can help support their members who have suffered from eating disorders and trauma.

3. Maximize Recurring Revenue

Recurring income is a source of earnings that comes in regularly. Subscription-based services can be a good instance of recurring revenues. This type of model is more stable and predictable than single-time payment.

Here are some recurring ways to earn revenue for healthcare that you can offer via your WordPress website with :

Offer ongoing appointments for subscriptions

Give your patients an option for monthly payments to spread the cost of their treatments or regular appointments.

Paying a regular subscription may aid in motivating patients to commit to regular visits and treatment. Patients will feel more accountability to make use of the services they pay for.

Also, providing an option to pay monthly could aid in making healthcare more accessible for patients who may struggle to pay large sums upfront.

This can help to enhance the level of satisfaction and loyalty among patients as well as lead to better health outcomes.

Develop treatment programs

Create treatment plans that will help your patients supplement their treatment at home.

If you're a physical therapist, as an example, you can create a course with progressively higher-level exercises in order to help your clients' recuperation.

As a primary healthcare practitioner can you put together the necessary information to manage Type 2 Diabetes.

As a mental health practitioner You could design a course to help people regulate their emotions, or create a mindfulness program.

They can also be arranged in a tied. A basic subscription provides access to a four-week online course, and a pro subscription gives access to personal appointment via telehealth.

Set up a paywalled resource hub

Develop a library of resources that your patients can access through their subscription. This could include information sheets and meal plans, as well as relevant videos, or articles The possibilities are limitless!

Your patients will have all the information they need to enhance their treatment all at a single location, making it simpler for them to remain engaged and motivated throughout their appointments.

makes recurring revenue a doddle

Whatever you're thinking of on your site, it is the best WordPress membership plugin that will bring your idea to life.

Make tiered subscriptions, paywall contentand handle your telehealth appointment all right from your website.

integrates with over 5000 platforms and add-ons , including these plugins to aid you with HIPAA compliance:

4. It's Much Easier Than You Think

Don't let online security jargon put you off. If you choose the best service provider and some sound guidance from an expert, it's simple to understand HIPAA procedures and design an awesome web site.

Before that, you must continue reading to determine the best web hosting provider to suit your needs.

Necessary Features for HIPAA-Compliant Web Hosting

In order to ensure HIPAA conformity, there are a few essential features and certificates that your hosting provider is required to have. These are:

  • Advanced firewalls
  • Security monitoring and scanning for malware
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Encrypted virtual private networks (VPNs) to secure cloud access as well as electronic secured health data (ePHI) in transit
  • Extra secure SSL/TLS encryption to protect gespeichert information
  • Physically secure server locations in HIPAA-approved data centers
  • Audit logs are used to keep track of HIPAA-regulated processes and access to information
  • Data backup and off-site storage
  • Data recovery resistance in case of loss or disaster
  • 100% availability of servers and uptime
  • Fantastic Support!
  • Ability to sign a Business associate agreement (BAA) to ensure HIPAA conformity

There is a comprehensive (and highly useful) HIPAA compliance checklist here.

These are more related concepts and badges that you should look out for:

 HIT

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) law is an up-to-date version of HIPAA which came into enforcement in the year 2009. If you find something that is HITECH compatible, it's as well HIPAA compatible... as well as certain.

 HIGHTRUST

Contrary to HIPAA or HITECH and HITECH, the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) is not a law. It's a well-known organization that certifies companies for demonstrating HIPAA as well as HITECH conformance.

 HITRUST CSF

The Common Security Framework of HITRUST (CSF) covers international security and privacy regulations such as ISO, PCI, and GDPR for global compliance.

 SOC2 and SOC3

Service Organization Control 2 (SOC2) and SOC3 frameworks are used to verify the reliability of their data center and cloud security measures.

However, something can be SOC2/3-compliant but it isn'tHIPAA compatible So be aware!

Three Things You Need to Learn about HIPAA Web Hosting

Before jumping to the list, we're best in taking the time to control expectations.

1. HIPAA Compliant Web Hosting Can be expensive

HIPAA web hosting has an additional cost as compared to other hosting services. This is because HIPAA compliance requires a lot more from web hosts as compared to a standard shared or VPS hosting service.

This added security comes at a cost.

2. The options are thin on the Ground

3. Do Your Own Diligence

The fact that the provider that you're using meets the requirements for HIPAA compliance doesn't guarantee you'll use it correctly. Ever seen someone wear the helmet but not put on the straps? It's kind of like that.

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If you mess up your settings, or if your internal procedures for handling and sending PHI don't keep up with HIPAA regulations, you could still be in breach.

Do your own research and seek out expert guidance at any time you need it. In the end, all responsibility for HIPAA compliance comes down to the individual.

5 HIPAA Compliant web hosting services

With the disclaimers removed Here are our top 5 HIPAA-compliant webhosting services.

#1 - Liquid Web

Many reviewers have praised its reliability and great uptime, its responsive customer support and fast speeds.

Their tagline is "The Most Humane People on Hosting" As you can see from their customer reviews, they live up to their claim.

Thanks to their support it's easy, and they can assist you in ensuring that your site is fully compliant with all HIPAA standards.

Liquid Web is proudly HIPAA/HITECH certified. The company has been through rigorous audits by third parties to ensure the company " not only meet, but exceed government guidelines."

They provide the entire range of offsite backups, completely controlled and owned data centers, complete with secured server cabinets, extensive safeguarding as well as a lot more.

In contrast to other providers of hosting that are on this list You don't have go through their website for their HIPPA-compliant services. They're fully transparent about what the service is and how much it costs.

Pricing starts at $299/month for an individual HIPAA server and up to $657/month for a multi-server plan.

#2 - Atlantic.Net, Inc.

Atlantic.net, Inc. is another service provider who boasts HIPAA compliant hosting. a 100% uptime service level agreement (SLA) as well as round-the-clock customer support.

Atlantic.Net, Inc. offers the option of fully managed or non-managed hosting options. And if you plan to migrate your current WordPress website on their HIPAA-certified server, they'll help you with that too.

As an expert in compliance hosting, Atlantic.Net, Inc. has refined the setup process in order to make what could be difficult to comprehend, simple.

Atlantic.Net, Inc. has three pricing levels which range between $279.98/month for their quickstart solution and up all the way to $609.97/month for their HIPAA Business Edition.

The area where they are truly excelling is when they provide custom hosting solutions to meet your particular needs. So you're better off getting an individual quote from the company.

They also provide a 30-day trial at no cost so you can try it before you make any commitments.

#3 #3 HIPAA Vault

HIPAA Vault (formerly VM Racks) provides a completely managed and secured WordPress publishing and publishing platforms.

The name of the program says it all. HIPAA Vault has been made specifically for HIPAA compliance. The company provides customer support 24 hours a day, and a 90% first-call resolution that ensures everything's running as it should.

They also monitor their infrastructure and update it frequently to reduce risk and beef up security.

If the cost/month of HIPAA-compliant web hosting is making you shiver, HIPAA Vault is your best option. The most well-known annual plan works out at just $84/month.

#4 -- Rackspace

Rackspace doesn't outwardly offer HIPAA compliant services as a package. However, they claim to be "HIPAA prepared". What exactly do they mean with"HIPAA ready?

This means on request they can ensure they have met all specifications to ensure HIPAA conformity.

All you need be doing is be sure to sign an agreement with them that is the norm for their customers in the field of healthcare.

If they state that they're prepared to go, they're serious. They have a steady supply of the needs of 2,500 healthcare providers, which indicates their proficiency in HIPAA compliance.

They're HITRUST CSF accredited, which means they meet the standards set by HIPAA for both public and private and hybrid cloud systems.

They're also Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant and use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) as well as Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols.

Do you get lost in the jargon? Just know about the transfer and reception of data, they've got you covered.

#5 - AWS

Amazon Web Services ( AWS) is a cloud service provider (CSP) that also has web hosting services. It is able to securely process, store and transfer PHI. It also allows patients to be able to sign the BAA in order to be compliant with HIPAA security measures.

As a CSP (as instead of a web hosting provider), AWS isn't eligible to receive HIPAA accreditation. However, it does meet all requirements applicable to it.

The company's HIPAA Risk Management program is aligned to the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). It also complies with guidelines that are provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST 800-53).

Both of these have higher standards of security that HIPAA.

One of the main benefits of AWS is the pay-as-you go system, where you only spend the amount you need for the period you use it.

This is in contrast to the fixed-monthly pricing system used by other web hosts on our list. This also allows you to quit at any moment without losing a dime.

But, AWS is complex to get your head around, and unlike the other options that we have mentioned above AWS, their support for customers is not as clear..

While other companies that are on this list provide guidance throughout the process Don't expect to receive the same amount of assistance from AWS.

Conclusion

When it comes to HIPAA-compliant web hosting services, there's no shortage of choices. The 5 we've covered here are some of the best that are available. Which one you choose depends on your individual desires and needs.

After you've chosen the ideal option for you then the enjoyment (and the money!) begins. By integrating the HIPAA compliant software, you will be able to achieve beyond just providing a telehealth service.

Create an online community today and provide the best service to your patients right now.

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Do you have any questions about HIPAA-compliant web hosting? Please let us know via the section of comments below!