Jotform is an online application that allows users to build a wide variety of forms and other documents for their organizations. The app features an extensive list of templates to give users a headstart on their project or inspiration for something that they need more customized.
One of their featured categories is HIPAA forms. But is Jotform HIPAA compliant?
HIPAA Compliance of Jotform: What Makes Software HIPAA Compliant?
When it comes to software, there are specific indications of the tool’s HIPAA compliance. Software HIPAA compliance really boils down to two things. Does the software have safeguards to keep patient data private and secure? Does the software provider sign business associate agreements?
When the answer to both of these questions is “yes,” the tool is likely HIPAA compliant. If the answer to either is “no,” the software tool is not HIPAA compliant.
What Are HIPAA Safeguards?
HIPAA safeguards are measures that a healthcare organization puts into place to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of protected health information (PHI). HIPAA categorizes safeguards into three groups – administrative, physical, and technical.
Administrative safeguards are written policies and procedures that dictate PHI’s proper uses and disclosures.
Physical safeguards, such as locks and alarm systems, protect an organization’s physical location.
Technical safeguards are measures that protect electronic PHI (ePHI).
While administrative and physical safeguards are essential, technical safeguards are generally the determining factor of a software provider’s HIPAA compliance. Technical safeguards should include encryption, user authentication, access controls, and audit controls.
Why is a Business Associate Agreement Important?
Business associate agreements are a crucial determinant of HIPAA compliance. Even the most secure software platform is NOT HIPAA compliant if it will not sign a business associate agreement (BAA).
Why?
A BAA is a legal agreement that requires each signing party to be HIPAA-compliant and be responsible for maintaining compliance. As such, a BAA limits the liability for both signing parties in case of a breach or OCR audit, as only the negligent party would be held culpable.
Is Jotform HIPAA Compliant?
So, how do we determine the HIPAA compliance of Jotform? Jotform automatically encrypts data on forms to protect PHI. They also have a Business Associate Agreement for users that defines liability for data. Based upon those factors, Jotform appears to be HIPAA compliant.
Users are reminded that they are responsible for security protocols on their own computers and ensuring any integrations that use Jotform are correctly configured.
