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Yes, HIPAA protections continue long after a patient has passed away. Under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Protected Health Information (PHI) remains safeguarded for 50 years following the date of death. During this time, the same privacy standards apply, though specific exceptions allow for disclosures to executors, funeral directors, and family members involved in the patient’s prior care.
Even though people talk about an “annual HIPAA audit,” compliance isn’t just a once-a-year task. To stay compliant, organizations can’t just “set it and forget it”; they need to constantly manage risks. Staying on top of things is the only way to be ready for an audit at any time.
The $245,000 settlement against a small health plan isn’t just a headline, it’s a warning. Many employers mistakenly believe their benefit plans are “too small to notice,” but federal regulators are proving otherwise. This post breaks down how a lack of formal risk analysis and missing security training can turn a routine oversight into a quarter-million-dollar disaster. Learn the specific steps you must take to shield your organization from becoming the next case study in HIPAA non-compliance.