HIPAA Risk Assessment for Small Practices and Their Vendors
If you run a clinic, a dental or therapy practice, a billing company, or any business that touches patient information, the HIPAA Security Rule expects a documented risk analysis. It is also the item regulators keep finding missing.
We perform the assessment remotely, document it in plain language, and give you a ranked plan you can actually work through.
Why this matters
The HIPAA risk analysis is the step regulators look for first.
- The HIPAA Security Rule lists risk analysis as a required step. It calls for an accurate and thorough assessment of the risks to electronic patient information held by a covered entity or business associate.
- According to HHS, its Office for Civil Rights launched a Risk Analysis Initiative in October 2024 to enforce that requirement.
- The federal Security Risk Assessment Tool from HealthIT.gov is aimed at small and medium sized providers, and its own page says it may not suit larger organizations.
Watch the 30 second overview
Two ways to get ready for a cyber insurance application.
What does a HIPAA risk assessment cover?
- Where patient data lives: EHR, email, laptops, phones, cloud storage, backups, vendors.
- Threats and weaknesses for each location, and how likely and how harmful each is.
- Access controls, MFA, encryption, logging, and device management.
- Business associate agreements and vendor exposure.
- Workforce training and incident response.
The process
- Short intake call to define scope and systems.
- Remote review of your settings, devices and documents, plus staff interview time.
- Written risk analysis report with risks ranked by severity.
- Remediation plan with owners and target dates, so you can show ongoing risk management.
How much does a HIPAA risk assessment cost?
HIPAA assessments are quoted by scope, since a three person office and a 40 person practice differ a lot. Call 469-248-5463 for a fixed quote. Options range from low cost software to consultant led projects, so ask any provider what is included and whether remediation help is extra.
On a budget? Our Word format security readiness kits are $49, $99 and $199 and give you templates to start your own documentation.
What we do not do
We are an IT and security provider, not a law firm, and we do not certify HIPAA compliance. Compliance is an ongoing program. We give you the technical findings and documentation a regulator or auditor expects to see, and your attorney can advise on legal questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is a HIPAA risk assessment?
It is a documented review of where electronic patient information lives, what could threaten it, and how well it is protected. The Security Rule requires covered entities and business associates to do one. The result is a written analysis and a plan to reduce your highest risks first.
How much does a HIPAA risk assessment cost?
It depends on size and scope, so we quote a fixed price after a short scoping call at 469-248-5463. Options range from do it yourself tools to consultant led projects. Ask every provider whether fixing the gaps is included in the price before you sign anything.
Can I use the federal Security Risk Assessment Tool myself?
Yes. HealthIT.gov offers a Security Risk Assessment Tool aimed at small and medium providers. It guides you through the questions but takes staff time, and it does not check your actual settings or build a fix plan for you. We help when you want it done and verified.
Does a small practice really need a risk analysis?
Yes. The Security Rule applies to covered entities and business associates of every size, and risk analysis is a required step. The depth can scale to your environment, but skipping it is not an option. Not sure if you count as a business associate? Call 469-248-5463 and we will help you work it out.
What happens if I have no HIPAA risk analysis?
Expect hard questions after a breach or an audit. HHS has run a Risk Analysis Initiative since October 2024, focused on whether organizations completed an accurate and thorough risk analysis. A current written analysis and fix plan is your best answer. Call 469-248-5463 to start one.
How often should a HIPAA risk assessment be repeated?
Regularly, and whenever something changes. Risk analysis is meant to be ongoing, and many organizations review at least yearly and after changes like a new records system, a new office, a major vendor change or a security incident. We can set a review schedule with you.
Do you certify HIPAA compliance?
No. We are an IT and security provider, not a law firm or a certifying body, and nobody can hand you a HIPAA compliance certificate. We deliver the technical findings and documentation a regulator or auditor expects to see, and your attorney can advise on legal questions.
Do you handle HIPAA assessments remotely?
Yes. Most of the work is a remote review of your cloud accounts, devices, backups and policies, plus video calls with your staff. We serve Hood County, DFW and practices anywhere in the US. On site work is rarely needed for small offices.
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Call 469-248-5463. Remote service for Hood County, DFW and anywhere in the US.