HIPAA Risk Assessment & Privacy Advisory Services
Healthcare organizations, covered entities, and business associates face ongoing responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Protecting patient information requires a clear understanding of security risks, applicable requirements, and the safeguards needed to support HIPAA compliance.
LBMC’s HIPAA risk assessment and analysis services help organizations identify vulnerabilities, evaluate existing safeguards, and prioritize improvements to their HIPAA security and privacy program. Our cybersecurity advisors bring practical healthcare experience to help you manage compliance responsibilities while supporting business growth.
Protecting health information safeguards patient privacy and maintains trust with patients and stakeholders. LBMC helps organizations assess risks to electronic protected health information (ePHI) and evaluate broader privacy practices for protected health information (PHI). We connect assessment findings with your technology environment, operational needs, and security priorities so your team can take practical next steps.
Questions About Cybersecurity Services?
If you’re evaluating risks, preparing for an assessment, or responding to new security requirements, our team can help you understand your options and determine next steps.
How LBMC Helps Assess and Manage HIPAA Risk
HIPAA Risk Assessments
Our HIPAA risk assessment and analysis services use guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other accepted frameworks to evaluate threats and vulnerabilities to ePHI. We assess existing safeguards and help prioritize improvements that support the HIPAA Security Rule’s risk analysis and risk management requirements.
HIPAA Compliance Assessment
Our HIPAA cybersecurity advisors assess your organization’s policies, procedures, and safeguards against applicable HIPAA Security, Privacy, and Breach Notification Rule requirements. We identify compliance gaps and recommend practical steps to strengthen your HIPAA security and privacy program.
When assessments identify gaps in incident preparedness, our incident response services can help strengthen response plans, test procedures through tabletop exercises, and improve response processes.
Compliance Reporting and Framework Alignment
We help organizations document HIPAA assessment findings and align related security requirements across multiple frameworks. Our cyber risk management team integrates traditional SOC reporting with assessment efforts involving HITRUST®, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and other requirements. This coordinated approach helps reduce duplicated effort and gives your organization a clearer view of security and compliance priorities.
HIPAA Privacy & Security Compliance Plan
Our HIPAA advisory services help organizations design and strengthen security and privacy programs using accepted healthcare information security frameworks. We translate assessment findings into recommendations for policies, safeguards, and documentation that support ongoing HIPAA compliance and audit preparedness.
If you’re navigating complex security, compliance, or risk challenges, LBMC’s cybersecurity advisors can help you prioritize next steps with clarity. Start with a conversation focused on your goals, risks, and operational realities.
What to Expect From Your HIPAA Risk Assessment
Define the Scope
Start with your organization’s goals, locations, systems, and existing security program. Identify the people and information needed for the assessment and clarify how third-party services fit into the review.
Review Documentation and Safeguards
Gather relevant policies, previous assessments, system information, and supporting evidence. Discussions with security, privacy, IT, and operational stakeholders help connect documented procedures with day-to-day practices.
Evaluate and Prioritize Findings
Assess identified risks and gaps so leadership can understand their significance. Prioritize recommendations based on potential impact, existing safeguards, and organizational needs.
Plan Your Next Steps
Use the findings to guide remediation, assign responsibilities, and support ongoing risk management. Agree on any additional advisory support needed to address findings and maintain progress.
Assessment Findings You Can Act On
Depending on the agreed scope, deliverables may include:
- A documented risk analysis or compliance assessment report.
- Identified threats, vulnerabilities, and control gaps.
- Prioritized recommendations for improvement.
- A summary of findings for leadership.
- Guidance for developing a remediation plan.
Specific deliverables and follow-up support are established during engagement planning.
Industries We Serve
Healthcare organizations face unique cybersecurity and regulatory requirements for protecting electronic protected health information (ePHI). LBMC works with hospitals, physician practices, healthcare technology companies, business associates, and other healthcare organizations to strengthen security, manage HIPAA risk, and support ongoing compliance efforts.
Featured Industries
Local Expertise, Wherever You Are
With offices in Chattanooga, Memphis, Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Philadelphia, and Charlotte, plus remote offices, LBMC partners with businesses across the region and beyond.
HIPAA Compliance Resources
Explore practical guidance from LBMC’s healthcare cybersecurity professionals covering HIPAA compliance, security risk assessments, audit preparedness, emerging threats, and protecting patient data.
- OCR Audit Preparation Checklist for Healthcare
Prepare for a potential OCR audit with a practical checklist covering documentation, policies, and key compliance requirements. - Three Reasons HICP Is a Game Changer for Healthcare Providers
Discover how the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) framework helps healthcare organizations strengthen security and reduce cyber risk. - Hospitals Should Ban Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
Explore the privacy and security risks smart glasses present in healthcare environments and why organizations should establish clear policies. - Deidentified Data: Can AI See Through the Mask?
Learn how advances in AI create new privacy considerations for deidentified healthcare data and what organizations can do to reduce risk. - How to Respond When a Security Breach Occurs
Learn the essential steps organizations should take after discovering a security incident to reduce impact and support recovery.
FEATURED INSIGHT
Proposed HIPAA Security Rule Changes: What to Know
HHS has proposed changes to strengthen protections for electronic protected health information. Understand the proposed changes, how they differ from current requirements, and what healthcare leaders should consider when planning security improvements.
HIPAA Risk Assessment FAQs
What is HIPAA?
HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. It’s a law designed to protect sensitive patient information and ensure that healthcare providers maintain the privacy and security of health data.
HIPAA sets up national standards to ensure the security of protected health information (PHI). This applies to healthcare providers, insurance plans, and business associates alike. Our main goal is to keep unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive patient information and to prevent any potential breaches. Staying compliant is important, not just to steer clear of fines, but also to keep the trust of patients and stakeholders intact.
What is a HIPAA risk assessment?
A HIPAA risk assessment looks at the weaknesses in your organization’s security measures. It points out the risks to electronic protected health information (ePHI) and assists in developing strategies to tackle those issues. It’s really important to have regular assessments in place to steer clear of any violations and penalties.
These assessments provide a great chance to fine-tune our internal processes, enhance staff training, and make sure that our technological safeguards are current and effective. It’s a good idea for businesses to keep detailed records of each assessment. This way, they can show they’re ready for audits and meet compliance requirements.
Why is a HIPAA risk assessment important?
The HIPAA security regulations are designed to safeguard patient information from cyber threats, unauthorized access, and data breaches. It’s essential to have strong security measures in place, like encryption, access controls, and data monitoring. When organizations make HIPAA compliance a priority, they not only lower their legal and financial risks but also foster stronger connections with clients. This commitment to data protection really shows that they care about safeguarding sensitive information.
What are the key elements of HIPAA compliance?
HIPAA compliance is built on four key components:
- Administrative Safeguards: Policies, workforce training, and access controls.
- Physical Safeguards: Facility access controls and device security.
- Technical Safeguards: Encryption, audit logs, and secure communications.
- Documentation and Policies: Maintain detailed documentation of security protocols and risk mitigation plans.
What regulations are included in HIPAA?
HIPAA is built on several rules, including:
- Privacy Rule: Governs the use and disclosure of PHI.
- Security Rule: Protects ePHI with administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.
- Breach Notification Rule: Mandates reporting of PHI breaches.
What steps are required to achieve HIPAA compliance?
Organizations typically follow these steps:
- Conduct a HIPAA risk assessment.
- Implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards.
- Train employees on HIPAA compliance.
- Document all compliance measures and updates.
- Regularly review and update HIPAA policies.
What happens if an organization is not HIPAA compliant?
If someone doesn’t comply with HIPAA, it can result in significant fines, legal issues, and harm to their reputation. Taking proactive compliance measures helps safeguard your organization from penalties while also building trust with patients and stakeholders. On top of that, organizations might encounter some operational hiccups, find themselves under closer watch from regulatory agencies, and even face possible lawsuits from those impacted.
When you weave HIPAA compliance into the very fabric of your organization’s culture, you create a strong foundation for ongoing data security, stay aligned with regulations, and build trust with your clients.
Why does HIPAA security matter for organizations?
HIPAA security regulations are designed to protect sensitive patient data from cyber threats, unauthorized access, and data breaches.
By prioritizing HIPAA compliance, organizations not only reduce legal and financial risk but also demonstrate a strong commitment to protecting patient information and maintaining trust.
What is the difference between a HIPAA risk analysis and a compliance assessment?
A risk analysis evaluates threats and vulnerabilities to ePHI, including their likelihood and potential impact. A compliance assessment evaluates how policies, procedures, and safeguards align with applicable HIPAA requirements. Organizations may need both to understand their risks and compliance gaps.
What should we prepare before an assessment?
Helpful materials include previous assessments, security and privacy policies, system inventories, incident response plans, and information about third-party services. Identify the people responsible for IT, security, privacy, and compliance who can explain your environment and provide supporting documentation.
Should the assessment include multiple locations and cloud systems?
The risk analysis should account for all ePHI your organization creates, receives, maintains, or transmits. That includes information across locations, remote work arrangements, and relevant cloud or third-party services. Defining these relationships helps establish a complete assessment scope.
How often should a HIPAA risk analysis be updated?
Risk analysis is an ongoing process. Review and update it as your environment and risks change, including after significant technology changes, acquisitions, security incidents, or changes in how ePHI is handled. The current Security Rule does not prescribe one universal annual interval.
Does an assessment certify our organization as HIPAA compliant?
An assessment helps identify risks and compliance gaps. It does not provide an HHS-recognized HIPAA certification or remove your organization’s ongoing responsibilities. Findings must be addressed through appropriate safeguards, documented decisions, and continued risk management.
How much does a HIPAA risk assessment cost?
Cost depends on the assessment scope, number of locations, system complexity, and level of review required. LBMC will discuss your environment and objectives before defining the engagement and providing a proposal.
Meet Our HIPAA Risk Assessment Advisors
Discuss Your HIPAA Assessment Needs
Tell us about your organization, current concerns, and assessment goals. An LBMC team member will follow up to discuss your needs and next steps.