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The Top 5 HIPAA web hosting services that are compliant for WordPress

Mar 24, 2023

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Your HIPAA policy officer has to go through a list 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) rules can result in serious fines.

The penalty could be prison time as well as fines of upwards of $50,000 per offense (up to a max of $1.5 million a year). That's some serious top-tier peril!

Small-sized firms, HIPAA compliance can be extremely difficult to comprehend as well asafford. And yet you're the ones most likely to get caught up in costly penalty fees.

Don't worry, though. We've got your back.

We've compiled a list of solutionsthat'll protect your data and safe, and ensure that you are in compliance with all HIPAA rules (at the very least, when it comes to the ground).

In addition, we'll break down the essential features and accreditations that are required. That way you can check the operation of our system and rest that your information is safe.

So let's get to it!

Do I require HIPAA-compliant web Hosting?

If you're not in the U.S.

HIPAA is created to safeguard the protected medical information (PHI) of Americans no matter where they may be located in the world. Therefore, if you're operating a online business, HIPAA compliance is your most secure option - no matter the location you're located.

Even if you're not working in the field of healthcare, you'll have to comply with HIPPA if you handle PHI as part of the services you provide.

In the age of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring and remote patient monitoring, HIPAA-compliant hosting is now essential more than ever. Indeed, non-compliant internet hosts actually forbid using their services to websites subject to HIPAA regulations.

It is essential to note that if you are hosting any kind of medical information online including patient records, prescriptions and much more, you must use HIPAA-compliant website hosting.

This is why it's well worth the effort...

What are the reasons to start an Online Healthcare Business?

You've surely heard of sites like Zocdoc as well as Betterhelp that offer health care providers an online client platform.

They're huge and powerful, and may make you feel compelled to skip the hassle creating your own site. But you shouldn't!

Below are some reasons to consider why creating your own web site is the ideal choice...

1. Greater Control over Ownership and Profits

Third-party platforms can receive a substantial portion of the revenue you earn. In addition it is common to pay for membership costs. Also, they're at liberty to change fee prices and rules and conditions at the drop of a hat.

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

In particular, Zocdoc recently changed its pricing structure to a fixed monthly rate of $3000 per company. Now, Zocdoc healthcare providers must charge a flat rate for every new patient they book plus an annual license fee.

As you build your business via third-party platforms more at risk you become. It doesn't make any sense in terms of business.

2. Create an intimate community of patients

When you use WordPress along with , you get more control over your pricing. But you'll also be able to build an online community for your business.

The patients appreciate the personal touch provided by the healthcare professional they are able to reach out to anytime they need to.

In addition, you can add additional materials, including resources and information to your patients that they can use and reference.

As an example, customer New Hope Counseling & Wellness Center provides counseling and therapy services through their site.

They also regularly upload videos that help to support their community of survivors of eating disorders, trauma and other eating disorders.

3. Maximize the Recurring Revenue

Recurring income is a source of earnings that comes in regularly. Subscription-based services are an example of recurring revenue. This revenue model is much more reliable and stable as compared to one-time transactions.

Here are some recurring income ideas for healthcare that you can offer via your WordPress website with :

Make subscriptions for ongoing appointments.

Give your patients the option of a monthly installment to help spread the cost of their appointment or treatment.

A subscription that is regular in duration could aid in motivating patients to commit to regularly scheduled appointments and treatment. The patients will be able to feel an sense of accountability to make use of the services they pay for.

Also, providing the option of paying monthly can aid in making healthcare more accessible to patients who struggle to pay large sums up front.

This will improve patient satisfaction and loyalty, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes.

Create treatment courses

Design treatment programs to help your patients supplement their care at home.

If you're a physiotherapist, perhaps, you could make a class with gradually higher-level exercises in order to help your clients' recuperation.

As a physician of primary care can you put together an educational program on how to deal with Type 2 Diabetes.

If you are a mental health specialist, you could create a course to help people regulate their emotions, or develop a mindfulness practice.

They can also be arranged in a tiered. For example, a basic subscription gives access to an online course lasting four weeks course. A pro subscription grants access to customized one-on-one telehealth sessions.

Make a resource hub that is paywalled

Make a collection of useful resources which your patients are able to access with their subscription. These could include info sheets and meal plans, as well as relevant video and articles There are many options!

Patients will be able to access all the data they require to enhance their treatment all in one place, making it easier for them to stay engaged and motivated during appointments.

makes recurring revenue a doddle

Whatever you have in mind to your site, this is the best WordPress membership plugin to help bring your idea to life.

Develop tiered subscriptions and paywall content, and manage the appointment process for telehealth all on your site.

It is compatible with more than 5000 platforms and add-ons including these plugins to help you ensure HIPAA conformity:

4. It's Much Easier Than You Believe

Do not let the jargon of online security put you off. When you have the right supplier and some solid expert advice, it's easy to navigate HIPAA guidelines and create an impressive website.

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

Needed Features for HIPAA Compliant Web Hosting

For HIPAA conformity There are some necessary features and certifications that your hosting provider is required to have. These are:

  • Advanced firewalls
  • Malware scanning and security monitoring
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • VPNs that are encrypted (VPNs) for secure cloud access and electronic protected health information (ePHI) during transport
  • Secure SSL/TLS encryption with extra security for stored data
  • Physically secure server locations in HIPAA-approved data centers
  • Audit logging to track HIPAA-governed processes and access to information
  • Data backup , off-site storage and data backup
  • Data recovery resistance in case in the event of loss or natural disaster
  • 100% server availability and 100% uptime
  • Excellent support
  • Availability to sign a business Associate Agreement (BAA) to ensure HIPAA compliance

You can find a thorough (and extremely useful) HIPAA compliance checklist here.

Below are more related terms and badges worth looking out for:

 HIT

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) act is an updated version of HIPAA that was enacted in the year 2009. If you find something that is HITECH compliant, it is as well HIPAA conforming... as well as there are some.

 HiTRUST

Contrary to HIPAA or HITECH, unlike HITECH or HIPAA, the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) is not a law. It's a widely recognized organization that certifies organizations for their HIPAA as well as HITECH compliance.

 HITRUST CSF

The Common Security Framework of HITRUST (CSF) is a global security framework that covers and privacy rules like ISO, PCI, and GDPR to ensure compliance across the globe.

 SOC2 as well SOC3

Service Organization Control 2 (SOC2) and SOC3 frameworks can ensure the security of their data center and cloud security security.

But, there are instances where something is SOC2/3-compliant but is notHIPAA conforming, so watch out!

Three Things You Need to Learn about HIPAA Web Hosting

Before jumping to the next item, it's best in taking the time to control expectations.

1. HIPAA Compliant Web Hosting Can Be Expensive

HIPAA web hosting has a higher price tag than most other hosting solutions. That's because HIPAA compliance requires a lot more of web hosting providers as compared to a standard shared or VPS hosting.

The added security comes with a cost.

2. Options are Thin on the ground

3. Do Your Own Diligence

The fact that the provider you use meets the standard to ensure HIPAA Compliance doesn't mean that the service will be used correctly. Ever seen someone wear the helmet but not put on the straps? That's sort of similar.

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If you mess up the settings or internal protocols to handle and transmit PHI aren't in line with HIPAA regulations, you could be still in breach.

Make sure to do your own research and consult with an expert when needed. The responsibility to ensure HIPAA compliance falls to you.

5 HIPAA Compliant web hosting services

With the disclaimers out of the way We present our top 5 HIPAA-compliant web hosting providers.

#1 - Liquid Web

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

Their tagline is "The most helpful human beings on Hosting" Based on the reviews of their customers their service is in line with their motto.

With their assistance, the process is simple They can also aid you to ensure that your website fully meets all HIPAA standards.

Liquid Web is proudly HIPAA/HITECH certified. They've undergone rigorous third-party audits to make sure the company " not only meet standards set by the government, but even exceed."

They offer the full gamut - offsite backups, fully managed and wholly owned core data centers complete with locked server cabinets, full security, and much more.

Unlike other hosting providers that are on this list You don't have go through their website for their HIPPA-compliant services. They're completely transparent on what their service entails and the price.

Prices start at $299/month for an individual HIPAA server. Prices can go up to $657/month for a multi-server plan.

#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 the option of fully managed or unmanaged hosting solutions. If you're planning to migrate your existing WordPress website on their HIPAA-certified server, they'll help you in that process too.

As a specialist in compliance hosting, Atlantic.Net, Inc. has refined the setup process so that it can make what is difficult to comprehend, simple.

Atlantic.Net, Inc. has 3 pricing tiers ranging from $279.98/month for their quickstart service, all the way to $609.97/month to their HIPAA business edition.

However, where they excel is when they provide custom hosting solutions to meet your particular demands. You'd be better off getting an individual quote from their company.

They also provide a 30-day trial for free so that you are able to try it before you make any commitments.

#3 3 HIPAA Vault

HIPAA Vault (formerly VM Racks) is a fully-managed and highly secure WordPress publishing and publishing platforms.

Its name is enough to describe it. HIPAA Vault has been specifically designed for HIPAA Compliance. It provides 24/7/365 support with 90% of first-call resolution that ensures everything's functioning as expected.

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

If the monthly cost of HIPAA compliant web hosting is making you shiver, HIPAA Vault is your ideal choice. Their most popular annual contract is priced at $84 per month.

#4 - Rackspace

Rackspace doesn't outwardly offer HIPAA compliant services as an option. However, they describe themselves as "HIPAA ready". What do they mean when they say that?

This means on request they can ensure they are in compliance with all the requirements to ensure HIPAA compliance.

The only thing you have to do is be sure to sign an AAA with them and it is a normal for clients of the health sector.

If they state that they're ready to go to go, they're serious. They are able to serve over the needs of 2,500 healthcare providers, which speaks volumes about their familiarity with HIPAA compliance.

They're HITRUST CSF accredited and meet the requirements of HIPAA for private, public hybrid, and private cloud infrastructures.

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

Are you lost among the acronyms? Be aware that in the case of sending and receiving data, they've got you covered.

#5 5 AWS

Amazon Web Services ( AWS) is an cloud-based service provider (CSP) which also offers web hosting options. It can securely handle, transfer and store PHI. It also allows patients to sign a BAA to ensure compliance with HIPAA protections.

Being that it's a CSP (as instead of an internet hosting service), AWS isn't eligible to receive HIPAA certification. It does however meet all requirements applicable to it.

The company's HIPAA Risk Management program is aligned closely with Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). The program also conforms to procedures from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST 800-53).

Both of these have higher levels of security than HIPAA.

One of the main benefits of AWS is its pay-as-you go system, where you only pay for the services you use for the time you utilize it.

This is in contrast to the fixed-monthly pricing system used by other web hosting providers on our list. It also means you can stop at any time without paying a cent.

However, AWS is complex to comprehend And, unlike others mentioned above AWS, their support for customers is not as clear..

While other companies in this list can provide assistance on the way to go but don't anticipate similar support from AWS.

Conclusion

When it comes to HIPAA-compliant web hosting services, there's no shortage of choices. The five that we've listed here are the most effective that are available. Which one you choose depends upon your specific desires and needs.

After you've chosen the ideal choice for you The excitement (and earning money!) begins. By integrating HIPAA-compliant plug-ins, you are able to achieve more than simply provide the telehealth services.

Start building an online community and offering a premium service to your patients right now.

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Take Action today!

Start generating recurring revenue to your company.

Have you got any concerns regarding HIPAA-compliant hosting? Tell us in the comment section below!