Is HubSpot HIPAA Compliant? What Healthcare Organizations Need to Know

As a consultant in the small business software industry, I understand the importance of compliance in today’s digital landscape, especially for organizations in healthcare. With the significant rise in data-driven solutions, maintaining the confidentiality of patient information while using software platforms becomes a top priority. If you’re wondering whether HubSpot is HIPAA compliant, you’ll be pleased to know that as of June 2024, HubSpot has made some exciting updates to support HIPAA compliance specifically for healthcare organizations and other entities managing Protected Health Information (PHI).

Key Developments in HubSpot's HIPAA Compliance

HubSpot has launched essential features as part of its commitment to providing a compliant solution for healthcare providers. Here are some of the key advancements:

  • Sensitive Data Tools: HubSpot introduced sensitive data tools that enable healthcare organizations to collect, store, process, and transmit PHI securely. These tools can be configured specifically for HIPAA compliance within selected "covered services." This means your organization can safely leverage HubSpot’s functionalities while adhering to stringent HIPAA regulations. (source)
  • Business Associate Agreement (BAA): Upon activating the sensitive data settings, HubSpot simplifies compliance by automatically entering into a BAA with customers identified as HIPAA-covered entities or business associates. This agreement is a crucial element in ensuring PHI is handled in alignment with HIPAA standards. (source)

Covered Services to Consider

The HIPAA-compliant features are available to customers who have enterprise subscriptions and include:

  • CRM Object Properties
  • CRM Objects API
  • List Creation
  • Workflows
  • Search
  • Reports (limited to Dashboards, Single Object Reports, and Attribution Reports)
  • Integrations
  • Forms
  • Form Submissions Authenticated API
  • CRM Attachments added to Records manually

However, it is crucial to note that certain features, such as Reporting Analytics (including Custom Report Builder), Customer Journey Reports, Data Sets, and Snowflake Data Sharing, are not covered by the BAA and should be avoided for handling PHI (source).

Steps for Implementation

If you’re ready to implement HubSpot’s HIPAA-compliant tools, here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

  1. Activate Sensitive Data Settings: A super-administrator must enable the HIPAA-protected sensitive data settings via the "Privacy and Consent" tab in HubSpot.
  2. Identify as a Covered Entity: Make sure to check the "Health/Medical Data" checkbox and confirm your organization’s status as a HIPAA-covered entity or business associate.
  3. Configure Properties: When creating new properties to store PHI, be diligent in marking them as sensitive and indicate that they contain Protected Health Information. (source)

Why This Matters for Your Organization

By following these steps, healthcare organizations can leverage HubSpot's platform efficiently while ensuring compliance with HIPAA regulations. Implementing HIPAA-compliant features not only helps in safeguarding sensitive patient data but also builds trust with clients and patients alike. Remember, violation of HIPAA can lead to hefty penalties, and with the risk of cyber threats on the rise, taking proactive measures has never been more essential.

Moreover, embracing HubSpot’s tools can save you time and money. By streamlining operations and ensuring secure information management, your healthcare organization can focus more on delivering quality care instead of navigating compliance hurdles.

In conclusion, with its recent enhancements, HubSpot opens the door for healthcare organizations to harness the power of its platform while maintaining compliance with HIPAA standards. This commitment to security allows you to concentrate on what truly matters — providing excellent healthcare services.