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Ask HN: How do I set up a HIPAA-compliant server?

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Re: Ask HN: How do I set up a HIPAA-compliant server?

#4
It's not just the server - it's the storage, accessibility (compartmentalization), and transmission of sensitive data (PHI and PII) at all levels. There is a lot more to HIPAA/HITECH than just server configuration - there are legal agreements you have to enter into as well (BAA's), insurance requirements, and potentially a lot more.

I'd suggest you work with a company that has a lot of experience in this area before you inadvertently find yourself fined (or sued) into bankruptcy.

Re: Ask HN: How do I set up a HIPAA-compliant server?

#6
@USNetizen -- You're right...I should have clarified that I want to know how to get an entire stack up and running, although I don't trust myself to do this unassisted.

I'm just surprised at how few resources there are that explain what it takes, and I hope that someday soon, healthcare startup CTO's will be referred to clearly documented open source solutions that are fairly fool-proof, rather than paid-for services (@sebst). Amazon's compliance page is unfortunately uninformative (@byoung2).

Re: Ask HN: How do I set up a HIPAA-compliant server?

#9
post #6

@USNetizen -- You're right...I should have clarified that I want to know how to get an entire stack up and running, although I don't trust myself to do this unassisted. I'm just surprised at how few resources there are that explain what it takes, and I hope that someday soon, healthcare startup CTO's will be referred to clearly documented open source solutions that are fairly fool-proof, rather than paid-for services…

You're absolutely right in that regard. I actually started my company to help out others in a similar situation, but there should be an easier way to go about getting set up initially. Even many small/mid-size medical offices don't know what it takes from a technology perspective to be fully compliant, let alone other startups.

The only reason I have been able to navigate HIPAA/HITECH is because I've worked many years previously as a software engineer and then a senior technology manager for a very large hospital network and dealt with these requirements daily.

Re: Ask HN: How do I set up a HIPAA-compliant server?

#10

It's not just the server - it's the storage, accessibility (compartmentalization), and transmission of sensitive data (PHI and PII) at all levels. There is a lot more to HIPAA/HITECH than just server configuration - there are legal agreements you have to enter into as well (BAA's), insurance requirements, and potentially a lot more. I'd suggest you work with a company that has a lot of experience in this area before…

This exactly. It's not like there are just a few commands to run in Linux that gets you a HIPAA-compliant server. It is a pretty long and arduous process that involves several business-level requirements, in addition to the technical ones.
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