Few business tools are as integral, valuable, and impactful as those provided by CRM (customer relationship management).
Yet, for businesses operating in healthcare, finding a CRM that can comply with the strict regulatory and compliance guidelines imposed by HIPAA is a real challenge.
This is because few CRM vendors consider HIPAA compliance when designing their toolsets.
In fact, many of the largest CRM vendors outright prohibit the storage and processing of health data within their platforms.
At FreeAgent CRM, we recognize the needs of the healthcare industry and have taken the steps to ensure HIPAA compliance.
What is HIPAA?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a set of standards that governs the collection, storage, and accessibility of PHI (protected health information) in the US.
Any company or business that handles or processes the PHI of US citizens must adhere to these standards. Check out the HIPAA Compliant Software Guide to learn more about HIPAA compliance requirements.
Why is HIPAA compliance important in a CRM?
Healthcare organizations handle sensitive patient data and PHI. This data must be securely managed in accordance with all HIPAA regulations.
Non-compliance with HIPAA regulations can result in severe legal and financial repercussions for these organizations, including potential fines, penalties, and legal action.
These consequences can be detrimental to a company’s reputation and financial stability.
A HIPAA-compliant CRM system helps maintain the confidentiality of patient information, preventing unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
By implementing a HIPAA-compliant CRM, healthcare companies can mitigate these risks and demonstrate their commitment to protecting patient information.
An overview of major CRM vendors and HIPAA compliance
Salesforce CRM | Hubspot CRM | FreeAgent CRM |
|---|---|---|
Salesforce requires that you deal with a third-party BAA provider as well as purchase “Shield” premium services at 20-30% additional cost on your subscription. | HubSpot’s terms of service prohibit the capture, storage, or transfer of PHI within the Hubspot platform. Furthermore, HubSpot will not enter into a BAA with a Covered Entity. | Native HIPAA Compliance without the need for 3rd party vendors. No extra costs. |
To learn more about achieving and maintaining HIPAA compliance with Salesforce and HubSpot, check out our articles:
How does FreeAgent maintain HIPAA compliance?
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance entails a variety of methods and best practices to ensure customer data security.
Below are a few of the steps FreeAgent has taken to become a HIPAA-compliant CRM:
- Business Associate Agreements (BAA)- FreeAgent will enter into a BAA with any eligible organization.
- In-Transit data encryption- All inbound and outbound communication outside of our private data network is always encrypted using secure TLS 1.2/1.3 protocols.
- At-Rest data encryption- Data stored on servers in our private network is always encrypted using secure AWS KMS technology with periodically rotated keys, ensuring that physical access to disk storage is completely secured.
- ePHI (Electronica Protected Information)- All data is secured with robust access controls, including Role Based Access controls (RBAC), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and periodic access reviews.
- Backups- Automatic backups ensure the ongoing availability and security of data and systems.
- System logs- We store access logs and event logs to track all the login attempts and changes made to data.
- HIPAA security personnel- We have designated HIPAA security personnel in place, implementing policies and procedures to prevent, detect, contain, and correct breaches of ePHI.
Learn more about FreeAgent CRM Security and compliance certifications.
FreeAgent CRM is the best CRM for healthcare
At FreeAgent, HIPAA compliance is a key part of our ongoing commitment to lead the way to a better work day for healthcare organizations.
Plus, FreeAgent is:
- Easy to use- FreeAgent’s modern user interface is quick to learn and easy to use, encouraging teams to work within the platform, driving up adoption and aligning your work processes.
- User-configurable- With FreeAgent, the power is in your hands. You can customize and personalize FreeAgent to fit the specific needs of your business and teams without external support.
FreeAgent offers:
- Robust integration- FreeAgent’s flexible toolset and extensive integration library supports teams and businesses of all types and structures.
- Simple and transparent pricing- With FreeAgent, there is no guessing about cost or value.
- No user minimums
- No hidden fees
- All essential tools and features are available with every package
With FreeAgent, it’s really that simple.
To see FreeAgent in action, get a demo, and discover for yourself why FreeAgent CRM is the #1 user-rated CRM on the market.
