A record-breaking $16 million—this was the highest HIPAA non-compliance penalty ever imposed, paid by Anthem Inc., one of the largest health benefits companies in the U.S. In 2015, cybercriminals exploited weak access control measures, compromising the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of nearly 79 million policyholders.

More recently, in 2022, a ransomware attack on printing and mailing vendor OneTouchPoint affected 34 healthcare organizations, exposing the records of over 2.5 million individuals.

These incidents—and many others—stem from the same critical issue: failure to comply with essential security regulations like HIPAA and the HITECH Act. Beyond hefty fines, non-compliance poses risks far greater than financial loss, potentially endangering patient data and trust.

Fortunately, RPA-driven compliance automation makes adhering to these regulations easier than ever. But how does it work, and which regulations matter most? Let’s explore the key healthcare compliance requirements in the U.S. and how RPA can help you stay ahead.

Why is healthcare compliance important?

Despite ongoing discussions about compliance and the risk of million-dollar penalties, healthcare data breaches were on the rise for 14 consecutive years, only seeing a slight dip in 2022. Before diving into specific regulations, let’s understand why compliance is crucial in the first place.