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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 administrator must complete a checklist that is as long as their arm to make sure your company is following all regulations.

In addition, failure to meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements has severe fines.

The penalty could be imprisonment and fines as high as $50,000 per violation (up to $1.5 million in a calendar year). That's some serious top-tier peril!

For smaller firms, HIPAA compliance can be extremely difficult to understand andafford. And yet you're the ones most likely to get caught up in costly penalty fees.

Don't worry, though. We've got you covered.

The following list contains solutionsthat'll ensure your information is safe and safe, and ensure that you are in compliance with all HIPAA guidelines (at least when it comes to the ground).

We'll also break down the features that are essential and the certificates required. That way you can check our workings and sleep easy knowing your data is secure.

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 created to ensure the protection of medical information (PHI) from Americans regardless of where they happen to be anywhere in the world. Therefore, if you're operating a business online, HIPAA compliance is your best bet, no matter your location.

Although you're probably not involved working in the field of healthcare, you'll have to adhere to HIPPA when you deal with PHI as part of your service.

In the age of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring the need for HIPAA-compliant hosting has become more necessary than ever. Actually, non-compliant website hosts actually forbid use of their services by sites that are subject to HIPAA guidelines.

It is essential to note that if you have any kind of medical data online such as patient records, prescriptions and much more, you need HIPAA-compliant web hosting.

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

The reason to establish an Online Healthcare Business?

There are many websites such as Zocdoc as well as Betterhelp who're offering healthcare providers clients online a client-facing platform.

They're huge and powerful, and may make you feel compelled to avoid the trouble in creating your own web site. You shouldn't!

Below are some reasons why setting up your own web site is the best option...

1. Greater Control over the Ownership of Profits and Assets

Third-party platforms may make a significant portion of your revenue. Additionally, you often have to pay for membership costs. Also, they're at liberty to change fee prices and terms and conditions at the moment of need.

Seth Meyers Lol GIF by Late Night with Seth Meyers - Find & Share on GIPHY

As an example, Zocdoc recently changed its fees from a flat yearly rate of $3000 per company. Now, Zocdoc healthcare practitioners must be paid a flat amount for each new patient booking in addition to an annual licensing fee.

The more you do business via third-party platforms more you're at their mercy. And that just doesn't make good business sense.

2. Create an intimate community of patients

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

Patients appreciate personal contact with the healthcare professional they are able to call when they are in need.

Additionally, you are able to add additional materials, like resources or advice that your patients can easily access and refer to.

As an example, customer New Hope Counseling & Wellness Center can provide therapies and counseling services on their site.

They are also frequently uploading material that will help their community of survivors of eating disorders, trauma and other eating disorders.

3. Maximize the Recurring Revenue

Recurring revenue is a stream of revenue that is repeated at regular intervals. Services that are subscription-based can be an instance of recurring revenues. This type of model is much more reliable and stable as compared to one-time transactions.

Here are some regular ways to earn revenue for healthcare which you could offer via your WordPress website . These include :

Make subscriptions for ongoing appointments.

Give your patients the option of a monthly installment to spread the costs of treatment or ongoing appointments.

Paying a regular subscription may be a way to encourage patients to make regularly scheduled appointments and treatments. Patients will feel more obligation to use the treatment they're paying for.

Additionally, offering the option of paying monthly can help to make healthcare more affordable for those who have difficulty paying large sums upfront.

This can help to increase the satisfaction of patients and their loyalty, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes.

Make treatment classes

Create treatment plans that will assist your patients with their treatment at home.

If you're a physiotherapist as an example, you can make a class with gradually higher-level exercises in order to help the recovery of your patients.

As a physician of primary care You could develop an educational program on how to deal with Type 2 Diabetes.

If you are a mental health specialist You could design a course to help people manage their moods, or create a mindfulness program.

These courses can be tied. As an example, a base subscription offers access to a four-week online course, and a pro subscription grants access to customized appointment via telehealth.

Create a paywalled resource hub

Make a collection of useful resources which your patients are able to access through their subscription. It could be a collection of information sheets, meal plans, relevant videos, or articles - the possibilities are endless!

Your patients will have all the necessary information to supplement treatment at a single location, making it easier for them to remain active and motivated throughout their appointments.

makes recurring revenue a doddle

Whatever you're planning on your site, it is the most popular WordPress membership plugin to bring your idea into reality.

Make tiered subscriptions, paywall-based content, and control telehealth appointments all directly through your website.

integrates with over 5000 platforms and add-ons , including the following add-ons to assist you in ensuring HIPAA conformity:

4. It's Much Easier Than You Believe

Don't let security terminology on the internet make you nervous. If you choose the best service provider and some sound professional advice, you can be able to follow HIPAA guidelines and create an awesome website.

Before that, you must read on to find the most reliable web hosting service to suit your needs.

Necessary Features for HIPAA-Compliant Web Hosting

For HIPAA conformity it is necessary to have a number of necessary features and certifications your web hosting solution 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 and electronically private health information (ePHI) in transit
  • Extra secure SSL/TLS encryption for the storage of data
  • Physically secure server locations in HIPAA-approved data centers
  • Audit logs are used to keep track of HIPAA-regulated activities and data access
  • Backup of data and off-site storage
  • Resilience to data recovery in the event of loss or disaster
  • 100% availability of servers and 100% uptime
  • Great assistance
  • The ability to sign a business Associate Agreement (BAA) to ensure HIPAA compliance

You can find a thorough (and very handy) HIPAA compliance checklist on this page.

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

 HITECH

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) act is an updated version of HIPAA which came into enforcement in 2009. If anything is HITECH compatible, it's as well HIPAA conforming... and then some.

 HITRUST

In contrast to HIPAA or HITECH and HITECH, the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) isn't part of a legal framework. It's a well-known organization that certifies organizations for their HIPAA and HITECH compliance.

 CSF HITRUST

The Common Security Framework of HITRUST (CSF) includes international security and privacy rules like ISO, PCI, and GDPR to ensure compliance across the globe.

 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.

But, there are instances where something is SOC2/3 compliant , but it isn'tHIPAA compatible So be aware!

3 Things to Know About HIPAA Web Hosting

Prior to jumping onto the top of the list, we're better at taking some time to set expectations.

1. HIPAA Compliant Web Hosting Can Cost a Lot

HIPAA web hosting comes with costlier prices as compared to other hosting services. This is because HIPAA compliance demands more of web hosting providers as compared to a standard VPS or shared hosting.

This added security comes at an expense.

2. The options are thin on the ground

3. Do Your Own Diligence

The fact that the provider is compliant with the standards for HIPAA conformity doesn't mean you'll use it correctly. Ever seen someone wear the helmet but not put on the straps? That's sort of similar.

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If you're not careful with your settings, or if your internal processes to handle and transmit PHI do not comply with HIPAA guidelines, you could be still 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 rests with you.

5. HIPAA Compliant Website Hosting Service

Once the disclaimers are out of the way We present our top five HIPAA-compliant web hosting services.

#1 - Liquid Web

Many reviewers have praised its reliability and excellent uptime, as well as its prompt customer support, as well as its super rapid speeds.

Their tagline is "The Most Helpful Humans in Hosting" Based on the reviews of their customers their service is in line with their claim.

With their assistance it's easy, and they can aid you to ensure that your website is fully compliant with all HIPAA guidelines.

Liquid Web is proudly HIPAA/HITECH certified. They've undergone rigorous third-party audits to make sure that they " not only meet, but exceed government guidelines."

They provide the entire range - offsite backups, fully managed and wholly owned core data centers, complete with secured server cabinets, full security and more.

Unlike other hosting providers on this list There's no need go through their website for their HIPPA-compliant services. They're transparent about the features of the service is and what it will cost you.

Prices start at $299/month for the standalone HIPAA server. Prices can go up to $657/month when you purchase a multi-server solution.

#2 - Atlantic.Net, Inc.

Atlantic.net, Inc. is another provider that is proud to offer HIPAA-compliant hosting, with a 100% uptime Service level agreements (SLA) and round-the-clock support.

Atlantic.Net, Inc. offers both fully managed and non-managed hosting options. In the event that you are planning to migrate your existing WordPress website on their HIPAA-certified server, they can help to assist you.

As a specialist for hosting that is compliant, Atlantic.Net, Inc. has refined the setup process in order to make what could be an intimidating experience simple.

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

But where they really excel is in offering tailored hosting solutions to meet your particular demands. So you're better off getting an individual quote from the company.

They also offer a 30-day free trial so you can check it out prior to making any commitments.

#3 - HIPAA Vault

HIPAA Vault (formerly VM Racks) offers a fully managed and extremely secure WordPress publishing platform.

Its name is enough to describe it. HIPAA Vault is made specifically for HIPAA compliance. It provides 24/7/365 support and a 90% first-call resolution to ensure everything's working as it should.

They also monitor their infrastructure and upgrade it often to minimize risks and improve security.

If the monthly cost of HIPAA compliant web hosting has you reeling, HIPAA Vault is your most effective choice. Their most sought-after annual agreement is priced at $84 per month.

#4 - Rackspace

Rackspace doesn't outwardly offer HIPAA-compliant services as an option. They do however describe themselves as "HIPAA prepared". What does it mean to them with this?

Well, it means that on request they can ensure they meet all necessary requirements to ensure HIPAA compliance.

All you need to do is ensure that you have signed a BAA with them, which comes as normal for clients of the health sector.

When they claim that they're prepared and ready, they're really saying it. They have a steady supply of the needs of 2,500 healthcare providers, which indicates their proficiency with HIPAA compliance.

They're HITRUST CSF accredited that means they're in compliance with the requirements of HIPAA for private, public hybrid, and private cloud infrastructures.

In addition, they're as well Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) in compliance and employ Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) as well as Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols.

Getting lost in the various acronyms? Just know when it comes to the transfer and reception of data, they've got you covered.

#5 AWS #5 AWS

Amazon Web Services ( AWS) is an cloud-based service provider (CSP) with web hosting services. It has the ability to safely handle, transfer and store PHI. And it allows clients to accept a BAA to comply with HIPAA safeguards.

Being that it's a CSP (as instead of Web Hosting Provider), AWS isn't eligible for HIPAA accreditation. It does however meet all requirements applicable to it.

The company's HIPAA risk management policy is in line closely with Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). The program also conforms to protocols that are provided by NIST 800-53, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST 800-53).

These two have greater security standards that HIPAA.

The main advantage of using AWS is that it is a pay-as you-go model, 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 hosting providers on our list. Also, you are able to end your subscription at any point without losing a dime.

But, AWS is complex to comprehend as well, and in contrast to the other options previously mentioned AWS, their customer support is sketchy.

While other companies that are on this list provide guidance through the process Don't expect the same level of support from AWS.

Conclusion

When it comes to websites hosting with HIPAA compliance, there's no shortage of choices. The five that we've listed here are some of the best that are available. Which one you choose depends upon your specific requirements and personal preferences.

Once you've found the best solution for your needs The fun (and the money!) begins. By integrating the HIPAA compliant software, you will be able to accomplish more than simply provide an online health service.

Start building an online community, and offer a premium service to your patients now.

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Have you got any concerns about HIPAA-compliant web hosting? Please let us know via the comments section below!