What Do You Learn in HIPAA Training Classes?

What Do You Learn in HIPAA Training Classes? HIPAAGuide.net

What you learn in HIPAA training classes varies depending on the type of HIPAA training, the organization you work for, and the reason for training being provided. The skills of individuals who develop and present HIPAA training classes can also have an impact on what you learn.  

There are generally three types of HIPAA training classes – policy and procedure training classes, security awareness training classes, and HIPAA awareness training classes. Policy and procedure training is mandated by the HIPAA Privacy Rule when a workforce member starts working for a covered entity, or for a business associate to whom the HIPAA Privacy Rule applies.

Security awareness training is an ongoing program that supports policy and procedure training classes by training all members of the workforce how to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), safeguard ePHI against known security threats, and protect against impermissible uses or disclosures of ePHI.

HIPAA awareness training classes are used to fill gaps in workforce members’ HIPAA knowledge. HIPAA awareness training classes are most often used as an introduction to HIPAA to help workforce members better understand policy and procedure training classes and security awareness training classes, but they can also be used to provide HIPAA refresher training.

What You Learn in the 3 Types of HIPAA Training Classes

Policy and Procedure Training Classes

The Administrative Requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule (§164.530) require covered entities – and business associate “where provided” by §160.102(b) – to “implement policies and procedures with respect to Protected Health Information that are designed to comply with the standards, implementation specifications, and other requirements of [the HIPAA Privacy Rule] and [the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule].”

Thereafter, covered entities and qualifying business associates must train members of the workforce on the policies and procedures “as necessary and appropriate for the members of the workforce to carry out their functions within the covered entity”. If the covered entity subsequently changes a policy or procedure, they must provide “material change HIPAA training” to all affected members of the workforce.

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This means that what you learn in policy and procedure training depends on what policies and procedures have been implemented by the covered entity with respect to Protected Health Information and your “function within the covered entity”. Because of this, what you learn in HIPAA training classes about policies and procedures is at the discretion of the organization you work for and depends on what your role is.

Security Awareness Training Classes

The Administrative Safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule (§164.308) require covered entities and business associates to “implement a security awareness and training program for all members of the workforce (including management)”. Importantly, the opening sentence of the Administrative Safeguards states “A covered entity or business associate must, in accordance with §164.306:” (the General Requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule).

The General Requirements of the HIPAA Security Rule mean that rather than providing only “generic” security awareness training (i.e., malware prevention, phishing simulations, password management, etc.), covered entities and business associates must tailor security awareness training to mitigate reasonably anticipated threats to the security of PHI and impermissible uses and disclosures of ePHI as identified in a risk analysis.

This means that, while some of what you learn in security awareness training classes will be “textbook” best practices for keeping ePHI safe, much of it will – or should – be geared towards threats and vulnerabilities identified by the covered entity or business associate you work for. It is for this reason that many workforce members are required to take the third type of HIPAA training classes to improve their awareness of HIPAA.

HIPAA Awareness Training Classes

In an earlier section of this article, it was mentioned that HIPAA awareness training classes are used to fill gaps in workforce members’ HIPAA knowledge. Gaps can exist when workforce members with little knowledge of HIPAA (because their functions do not involve uses or disclosures of PHI) are provided with HIPAA security awareness training that is tailored – as it should be – to support HIPAA policy and procedure training.

HIPAA awareness training classes are not “classes” as such. They are more often online training courses that are an introduction to HIPAA and cover topics such as why HIPAA exists, what is considered PHI under HIPAA, why PHI is highly sought by cybercriminals, and why HIPAA compliance is important. Some online courses go further and explain why workforce members with no access to PHI have to participate in HIPAA security awareness training.

HIPAA training classes that raise awareness can also be used by workforce members with access to PHI to improve their own knowledge of HIPAA. One area of HIPAA not often explained is that covered entities are required to sanction workforce members who violate any standard of the HIPAA Privacy Rule – even if they have not received policy and procedure training or security awareness training on the violated standard.

Why the Organization You Work For Matters

The organization you work for – and your role within the organization – can impact what you learn in HIPAA training classes because your role may be public facing or non-public facing, it might – or might not – involve interactions with patients’ friends and family members, and could involve access to sensitive information for which different disclosure rules apply (i.e., reproductive health, substance use disorders, mental health, etc.).

The compliance culture within the organization can also impact what you learn in HIPAA training classes. For example, some organizations are more proactive in identifying threats and vulnerabilities than others, more proactive in monitoring workforce HIPAA compliance, and quicker at implementing measures – including HIPAA training – to mitigate risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of PHI in all formats.

Some organizations might also integrate HIPAA training into other types of training – such as OSHA bloodborne pathogen or CMS emergency training. Others may combine the privacy requirements of HIPAA with confidentiality training in states with medical marijuana laws, or permitted disclosures of PHI to law enforcement with harassment and workplace violence training in states where this type of workplace training is required.

Why the Reason for Training Matters

The reason why HIPAA training is being provided can also impact what you learn in HIPAA training classes. This is because HIPAA training might be provided for a variety of reasons. For example, if a patient or plan member has made a privacy complaint to your organization or HHS’ Office for Civil Rights , you might receive training on the issue that prompted the complaint – even if you were not directly responsible for the complaint being made.

You might be provided with HIPAA training when a new technology is introduced, when a periodic nontechnical evaluation (required by the Administrative Safeguards of the HIPAA Security Rule) identifies a need for further HIPAA training, or when HIPAA training is the sanction for a minor violation of HIPAA. HIPAA training can also be imposed on an organization by HHS’ Office for Civil Rights as part of a corrective action plan.

HIPAA training might be provided for no other reason than to refresh workforce members’ HIPAA knowledge. HIPAA refresher training is most often scheduled for at least once a year if training has not been provided to all members of the workforce for any other reason and – if there have been no material changes to policies and procedures – is more likely to be HIPAA awareness training than standard-specific training.

Why HIPAA Training Skills Matter

Possibly the biggest factor influencing what you learn in HIPAA training classes is the skills of the individuals who develop and present HIPAA training classes. This is because you will likely learn more if HIPAA training is relevant and engaging, retain more information about HIPAA compliance, and apply what you have learned. It is also more likely your workplace colleagues will support you and each other in remaining compliant.

As an example, some HIPAA training classes try to enforce HIPAA compliance by highlighting the financial implications of noncompliance for the organization and workforce sanctions. It is more effective to discuss the real consequences of data breaches and HIPAA violations from the perspective of patients and plan members, as these are more likely to resonate with members of the workforce and encourage them to be more careful with PHI.

In conclusion, what you learn in HIPAA training classes is dependent on multiple factors. The most important factor for organizations is that HIPAA training should be relevant and engaging, while the most important factor for workforce members is to ensure they have a basic knowledge of HIPAA awareness to ensure policy and procedure training, and security awareness training, is fully understood and complied with.

About Liam Johnson

Liam Johnson has produced articles about HIPAA for several years. He has extensive experience in healthcare privacy and security. With a deep understanding of the complex legal and regulatory landscape surrounding patient data protection, Liam has dedicated his career to helping organizations navigate the intricacies of HIPAA compliance. Liam focusses on the challenges faced by healthcare providers, insurance companies, and business associates in complying with HIPAA regulations. Liam has been published in leading healthcare publications, including The HIPAA Journal. Liam was appointed Editor-in-Chief of The HIPAA Guide in 2023. Contact Liam via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamhipaa/