Navigating the New HIPAA Security Rule Amendments for 2025

As we stand on the cusp of significant changes to healthcare data security regulations, it's crucial for healthcare providers, IT professionals, and compliance officers to understand the implications of these updates. In this session, we will delve into the recently proposed modifications to the HIPAA Security Rule, designed to enhance cybersecurity in response to the rising tide of cyber threats targeting the healthcare sector. We'll explore how these amendments will affect your operations, from mandatory encryption and risk analysis to new requirements for business associates. Join us as we break down the complexities, discuss compliance strategies, and prepare you for a secure and compliant future in healthcare IT.

• Understand the Scope and Intent: Grasp the reasons behind the 2025 HIPAA Security Rule amendments and their intended impact on healthcare data security.
• Identify New Compliance Requirements: Learn about the specific new mandates, including enhanced encryption standards and mandatory periodic security risk analyses.
• Assess Impact on Current Systems: Evaluate how these changes will affect existing IT infrastructure, data management practices, and business operations.
• Master Updated Risk Management: Gain insights into the updated risk management protocols, learning how to conduct more thorough risk assessments.
• Explore Cybersecurity Enhancements: Delve into the new cybersecurity measures aimed at protecting against data breaches and cyber-attacks.
• Understand Business Associate Obligations: Clarify the expanded role and responsibilities of business associates under the new amendments.
• Strategize Compliance Implementation: Develop strategies for implementing the new requirements, including timelines, resources, and staff training.
• Learn Audit and Enforcement Changes: Get acquainted with any changes in how audits will be conducted and the potential enforcement actions for non-compliance.
• Navigate Interoperability and Data Sharing: Understand how the amendments affect data sharing and interoperability in healthcare, ensuring compliance while facilitating patient care.
• Prepare for Reporting and Documentation: Learn the updated requirements for breach reporting, documentation of policies, and procedures to meet the new standards.

• Understand the Scope and Intent:This segment will explore the motivations for the 2025 HIPAA Security Rule amendments, focusing on the escalating cyber threats to healthcare data and the need for stronger protective measures. We'll discuss how these changes aim to fortify patient data security within the evolving digital health landscape.
• Identify New Compliance Requirements:Here, we'll detail the specific new mandates introduced by the amendments, such as stricter encryption protocols for electronic PHI, mandatory periodic risk assessments, and any new technical safeguards. Participants will learn what is expected of them to ensure compliance with these updated standards.
• Assess Impact on Current Systems:We will analyze how the new regulations will necessitate changes to existing IT systems, databases, and operational procedures. This part will cover the potential costs, timeframes for system updates, and adjustments in data management practices to align with the new security framework.
• Master Updated Risk Management:This section focuses on the enhanced risk management strategies required by the amendments. Attendees will learn about conducting more detailed and frequent risk assessments, understanding new risk categories, and integrating these assessments into ongoing organizational practices.
• Understand Business Associate Obligations:We'll clarify the expanded duties and liabilities of business associates under the new rules. This will include a review of how business associates must now handle, secure, and report on the PHI they manage, ensuring they meet the same stringent standards as covered entities.
• Strategize Compliance Implementation:Participants will gain insights into planning the rollout of compliance with these amendments. This involves setting up timelines, identifying necessary resources, staff training requirements, and establishing a compliance roadmap that minimizes disruption to healthcare services.
• Learn Audit and Enforcement Changes:This part will cover the anticipated changes in audit methodologies and enforcement protocols. Attendees will learn about potential increases in audit frequency, new focus areas for auditors, and the consequences of non-compliance, including fines and corrective action plans.
• Navigate Interoperability and Data Sharing:We'll discuss how the amendments impact the sharing of health information across different systems while maintaining compliance. This includes understanding the balance between facilitating patient care through data interoperability and protecting privacy and security under the new rules.
• Prepare for Reporting and Documentation:Lastly, we'll address the updates to breach notification procedures and the documentation requirements for policies and procedures. This section will guide attendees on how to document compliance efforts comprehensively and handle breach reporting more effectively to meet the new standards.

• Healthcare Providers: Including hospitals, clinics, private practices, and any other entity that regularly deals with Protected Health Information (PHI).
• IT and Cybersecurity Professionals: Those responsible for managing, securing, and maintaining systems that handle PHI, as they will need to ensure compliance with the new security measures.
• Compliance Officers: Individuals tasked with ensuring their organization adheres to healthcare regulations, especially those relating to data security under HIPAA.
• Health Information Management (HIM) Staff: Professionals who manage patient records and data integrity will need to understand how the amendments affect data handling practices.
• Legal and Risk Management Teams: To understand the legal implications and risks associated with non-compliance with the updated HIPAA Security Rule.
• Business Associates: Companies or individuals providing services to covered entities that involve the use or disclosure of PHI, as they too must comply with these new rules.
• Privacy Officers: Those tasked with protecting patient privacy will need to be up-to-date with these changes.
• Healthcare Executives and Administrators: Decision-makers who need to allocate resources for compliance and understand the broader implications for their organization's operations.
• Insurance and Payer Organizations: Entities that handle PHI for billing or management purposes should attend to align their practices with the new amendments.
• Healthcare Consultants and Advisors: Professionals who provide guidance on healthcare regulations and IT security will benefit from staying current with these changes.

This training is essential for anyone involved in the handling, storage, transmission, or management of healthcare data, as the new HIPAA Security Rule Amendments for 2025 introduce significant updates that will impact how organizations protect sensitive health information.
 

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
• Chief Privacy Officer (CPO)
• Compliance Officer
• Health Information Management (HIM) Director
• IT Manager/Director
• Healthcare Administrator
• Medical Director
• Privacy Officer
• Security Analyst
• Risk Manager
• Legal Counsel (specializing in healthcare compliance)
• Business Associate Compliance Manager
• Healthcare IT Consultant
• Network Administrator
• Cybersecurity Specialist
• Data Protection Officer
• Audit Manager
• Quality Assurance Manager
• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• Healthcare Operations Manager

Meredith Sossman has more than 26 years of experience in health care device legal defense, FDA regulatory consulting for early-stage medical device and pharmaceutical companies, and international legal experience in health-related risk management. Meredith holds a telehealth facilitator certification from Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University. She has led teams in nonprofit and for-profit corporations through organizational development, strategic plans, and reorganizations that resulted in multi-million dollar sales increases. She has served as a HIPAA compliance officer for digital health companies and is a founder of an RPM service company.  
Meredith has extensive experience in human resources, board development, project management, and executive coaching with management and teams.  Praised for insightful analytical methods combined with compassion and empathy, Meredith seeks to deeply understand the complex nature of her client’s business. 
Meredith speaks nationally on topics in compliance, corporate governance, sales & fundraising, and management best practices. Meredith’s strategic planning and oversight in execution has been praised by client organizations as “authentic, results driven, and insightful.”
Meredith is the Founder and Managing Director of MM&C Consulting and a Founding Partner in Carenovation.