How HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST Relate: In Plain English for the C-Suite

HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST — What Each Framework Actually Is

HIPAA: federal law (Privacy Rule, Security Rule, Breach Notification Rule).

HITECH: amendments expanding penalties, breach notification, BA liability.

HITRUST CSF: private certification integrating HIPAA, NIST, ISO.

How HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST Relate to Each Other

• HIPAA establishes obligations

• HITECH expanded enforcement and added breach notification

• HITRUST provides a unified framework for demonstrating compliance with HIPAA plus other standards

What the Three Frameworks Mean for the CEO's Program Decisions

1. The organization complies with HIPAA (legal requirement)

2. The organization addresses HITECH provisions (part of HIPAA compliance)

3. The organization may pursue HITRUST (voluntary, partner-driven)

Why Treating the Three Frameworks as Interchangeable Creates Compliance Gaps

A CEO will hear: the frameworks are interchangeable.

False; specifics matter.

The Framework Relationships Review Specific to the Organization

A defensible approach involves healthcare CEO through framework relationships specific to the organization.

Understand How the Frameworks Layer — Each One Has Different Implications

The frameworks layer. Substantive engagement with each.

If your organization has not reviewed framework relationships in the last twelve months, that is the conversation worth having with your Tech-Operations partner.

Five Nines Technology Group is the Tech-Operations partner serving hospitals, clinic systems, and healthcare practices across the region. We focus on helping CEOs translate the regulatory framework layers into governance.