The United States Health and Human Services (HHS) has made the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) mandatory for all organizations which are part of the healthcare system in the country. The agency recognizes that the healthcare system includes organizations of varying sizes ranging from small healthcare providers to large health insurance companies covering different states. Hence these organizations are allowed to analyze their needs, and take suitable measures to ensure compliance with the provisions of HIPAA depending on its size and resources.
The Privacy Rule of HIPAA specifies that any entity which is covered under HIPAA must formulate written policies and procedures which are compliant with the HIPAA rules and also implement them. Every entity which is covered under HIPAA should implement the necessary administrative measures, technical as well as physical safeguards to ensure that healthcare-related information is not intentionally or unintentionally disclosed violating the privacy requirement. Even if the information has to be disclosed, the disclosure should be limited. Hence the records should be shredded before they are discarded and HIPAA Locking Bags should be used for storing and transporting the records.
The hipaa compliant locking bags are high-quality secure bags which cannot be easily tampered and have a provision for locking to prevent unauthorized access. There are multiple locking options available for the bags, all bags ordered can have different keys, all the bags can have the same key, or the bags can have different keys with the same master key. Alternately for those who do not wish to carry keys, which may be lost, there is a provision for using combination locks, with each bag. The locks supplied can have different codes for each combination type lock or the same numeric unlocking code for each lock.
The locking document security hipaa bags are available in two different sizes, so that medical documents of all sizes like reports, x-rays can be carried conveniently without being folded or damaged. The bag sizes available are 11″ X 15″ and 15″ X 19″. Buyers can choose the bags in different materials like laminated nylon, 1000 denier nylon and 14 ounce canvas. All these materials are extremely strong, durable and will not tear easily, so the documents in the bag will remain secure even if the bag is used roughly. Additionally, the nylon material used is water repellent so that the documents inside remain dry even in wet weather.
The HIPAA bags are available in different colors like red, black, grey, navy blue, royal blue, forest green, kelly green, yellow, orange, burgundy, purple, gold, and the user can choose the bag color based on their convenience. Most of the bags are available in darker shades since they do not look dirty quickly. Though bags without handles are available, many customers are preferring bags with web strap handles for $5 additional or hard handles for $7 extra, since it is more convenient for carrying. There is a provision for a card window of size 3.5″ X 5.5″ with a black frame, for keeping a visiting card or other information for identification.
Usually, the HIPAA compliant locking bags are made to order after the customer makes the payment. However some bags may be available ex stock, so customers are requested to inquire about the availability. These bags are usually shipped ten to fourteen days after placing the order for smaller orders, though the shipping time will be lower if the bags or the material used in the bag is already available ex stock. Free imprinting of a logo or text is available for volume orders, and free color imprinting is offered for orders of 500 bags or more. Custom bags can be made based on customer requirement on request.
The price of a single locking bag with standard features which is HIPAA compliant is $29.99. Discounts are available for large orders of three bags or more, and the price for each bag reduces to $22.99 for orders of more than 100 bags. The manufacturing time for larger orders may be more. If color imprinting is required, the time taken for production may be higher. These bags have been tested extensively to ensure quality and security. Hence hospitals, insurance providers, doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals interested in high-quality secure locking bags which are HIPAA compliant should check the Hipaa bags from Cardinal Bag supplies.
