HIPAA Compliance FAQ
Common questions about HIPAA compliance for small healthcare practices, answered by Stag Compliance — a Central Arkansas-based HIPAA consulting firm.
Does my small practice need to be HIPAA compliant? Yes. Any healthcare provider that transmits health information electronically is a covered entity under HIPAA. There is no size exemption.
What is a HIPAA risk analysis? A required Security Rule standard — a documented assessment of risks to your electronic protected health information. OCR cites failure to conduct a risk analysis as the most common HIPAA violation.
What is a Virtual Privacy Officer? An outsourced arrangement where a qualified consultant fills the designated Privacy Officer role on a retainer basis, handling policy maintenance, vendor oversight, and incident readiness.
Are Facebook and Google tracking pixels HIPAA compliant? In most cases, no. HHS guidance clarifies that tracking technologies collecting IP addresses or appointment data on healthcare websites may constitute a disclosure of PHI.
What should I do if I receive a letter from OCR? Contact a HIPAA compliance consultant immediately before responding. OCR investigations can be triggered by complaints, breach reports, or random audits.
Do you work with practices outside of Arkansas? Yes. While based in Central Arkansas, all engagements are conducted remotely and we serve practices nationwide.