The Healthcare MFP: Insurance from Noncompliance

(From the editor: This article was originally published on Channel Partner Connection.)

Healthcare and medical institutions want quality printing. They also want access to great features such as controlling their printing devices through a tablet-like interface with apps, and full network connectivity and integration with cloud services.

But just as important, they want to avoid paying fines for noncompliance of federal regulations. Some of the most important features are the right solutions embedded in the device that safeguard against putting them in danger of breaking the law and incurring hefty penalties.

Why is this so important?

At a time when hardly a day goes by without news of a security breach, fees for violating government security regulations, particularly in healthcare, finance and education, can be damaging. For example, the U.S. healthcare system is subject to numerous regulations regarding everything from privacy to security to patient access, marked by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Any violation of HIPPA regulations can result in fines ranging from $1,000 to upwards of $100,000.  Failure to comply, even unknowingly, can also result in civil and criminal charges. These criminal penalties for HIPAA violations are directly applicable to health plan administrators, healthcare clearinghouses, those healthcare providers who transmit claims in electronic form, and Medicare prescription drug card sponsors.

Yet the push is toward increased productivity in the form of electronic health records (EHR). So how does one achieve both of these goals?

Xerox’s Healthcare Multifunction Printer Solution is designed to allow healthcare providers to electronically share patient information with the push of a (secure) button.  This “share patient information” button allows practitioners to transmit data. This solution allows smaller providers to replace faxing as their primary method of transmitting information, and to stay current with EHR regulations.

Another layer of security is provided by Xerox’s partnership with McAfee and Cisco, delivering multilayered protection that integrates with existing infrastructure.  All personal health information is protected by the Advanced Encryption Standard, the highest level of security available.