Creating a HIPAA-Compliant Form in WordPress
Creating a HIPAA-compliant form in WordPress might sound tough, but it’s totally doable, even if you don’t have any technical skills. HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is an American law that helps protect people’s private medical information.
Any WordPress website that handles patient data in the United States, such as medical records on healthcare provider sites, telehealth platforms, and online patient portals, needs to ensure this information is safe and secure. This is why your forms need to be HIPAA-compliant. HIPAA-compliant forms build trust with your patients, as they’ll feel more comfortable knowing their personal health information is protected. If you don’t follow HIPAA rules, you could face serious fines and penalties.
The Importance of HIPAA Compliance
HIPAA compliance is essential for any organization that handles protected health information (PHI). PHI includes any individually identifiable health information, such as names, addresses, dates of birth, social security numbers, medical records, and billing information.
The HIPAA Privacy Rule establishes national standards to protect PHI, while the Security Rule sets standards for protecting electronic PHI. These rules require organizations to implement safeguards to protect PHI from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
Choosing a HIPAA-Compliant Form Builder
Most form plugins are not HIPAA-compliant because they don’t have the essential features for protecting sensitive health information under the law. These plugins often lack the right encryption standards, secure data storage, and the ability to enter into a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with a web hosting service.
Fortunately, there are a few reliable HIPAA-compliant form builders that can help you meet these standards. In this guide, we’ll be using HIPAAtizer, a free plugin that offers comprehensive security features tailored for HIPAA compliance.
Before you create your HIPAA-compliant form, you’ll want to check that your web hosting provider is also HIPAA-compliant. If you’re looking for a HIPAA-compliant hosting provider, you can take a look at AltShift WP. You may also be interested in our guide on how to move WordPress to a new host with no downtime.
Installing and Activating HIPAAtizer
To use HIPAAtizer, you’ll need to create an account. You can do this by visiting the HIPAAtizer website and clicking on the ‘Sign up for free’ button. HIPAAtizer offers two account types: a sandbox account for testing and a Covered Entity Account for real use. You’ll need to choose the Covered Entity Account option for actual use.
After successfully signing up, you’ll need to install the HIPAAtizer plugin in your WordPress site. Once activated, connect the plugin to your account.
Building a HIPAA-Compliant Form
To create your first HIPAA-compliant form, head over to **HIPAAtizer » Create Form** from your WordPress admin area. HIPAAtizer uses a drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to build forms. You can start by clicking on ‘Header 1’ to change the form’s title. Drag ‘Input Field’ from the left panel to the preview on the right to add a text box for the patient’s name, medical record number, telephone number, date of birth, etc. You can make the field required or configure other customizations.
Remember to add a disclosure of protected health information and a signature field to obtain patient consent and authorization. You can also add multiple-choice fields, and then customize the labels and choices.
Customizing Your HIPAA-Compliant Form
To add a personal touch to your form, head over to the ‘Styling’ tab to customize the theme. You can adjust the form’s screen size, background color, font, submit button, and more.
Embedding the Form into Your WordPress Website
Once you’ve saved your form, you’ll be directed to the ‘Integrate or Embed Form’ tab. Click on ‘WordPress’ to get instructions on embedding the form into your WordPress website. Copy the shortcode provided.
Go back to your WordPress admin area and create a new post or page. Paste the shortcode into the shortcode block.
Bonus Tip: How to Create a Secure Form in WordPress
If you’re not dealing with sensitive patient information, then a secure form may be sufficient for your needs. To make your WordPress contact forms secure, you need a secure contact form plugin and a secure web hosting environment.
We recommend AltShift WP, a reliable hosting provider that offers excellent customer support and performance features. It also offers free SSL certificates, which encrypt the data sent between a user’s browser and your website, preventing hackers from stealing information.
FAQs About Creating a HIPAA-Compliant Form in WordPress
**Is it possible to make a WordPress site HIPAA-compliant?**
Yes, it’s possible, but you’ll need the right plugins like HIPAAtizer, secure hosting, and strict procedures to protect patient information.
**Do I need HIPAA-compliant web hosting?**
You need HIPAA-compliant web hosting if your medical website handles patient data. This hosting ensures patient info is stored and transmitted securely, which is essential for maintaining confidentiality and meeting legal requirements.
**What is the best WordPress plugin for medical forms?**
HIPAAtizer is a popular choice. It has lots of features and can be customized to meet HIPAA standards.
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