HIPAA & Independent Patient Advocates: What You Actually Need to Know About Patient Privacy

Independent patient advocates are often told conflicting information about HIPAA, privacy rules, and data security.
This episode cuts through the confusion and explains what independent, non-covered entities actually need to know to protect client information professionally and responsibly.

While independent patient advocates are not HIPAA-covered entities, safeguarding patient privacy is still a critical legal, ethical, and professional responsibility. In this training, Nicole Broadhurst breaks down practical, real-world privacy practices without fear-based messaging or false compliance claims.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

~What HIPAA does and does NOT require for independent patient advocates
~The legal and ethical responsibilities of non-covered entities
~How to secure client communication and data storage effectively
~Best practices for obtaining and managing client consent
~What it means to become a business associate with HIPAA-covered entities
~How to protect client data without claiming HIPAA compliance
~Practical privacy safeguards that reduce risk and build client trust

This training is designed for independent advocates who want to operate professionally, protect patients, and reduce risk without overcomplicating their practice.

Topics Covered

HIPAA compliance for advocates, independent patient advocates, patient privacy, non-covered entities, legal responsibilities, ethical duties, data security, client communication, secure data storage, client consent, cybersecurity basics, business associate agreements, privacy policies, encryption, document trails, consent forms, data breach prevention, risk mitigation strategies, state privacy laws, secure email, secure cloud storage, privacy best practices.

Your Next Step
Independent advocacy grows through clarity and execution, not more confusion.

👉 Join the Weekly Advocacy Power Hour
Free weekly training for independent patient advocates
🔗 https://www.thepowerfulpatient.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Non Covered Entities: Privacy Responsibilities
04:19 Risk Management and HIPAA Misconceptions
07:34 Non-HIPAA Entity Security Practices
11:19 Small Business Privacy Challenges
15:54 Secure Google Workspace Benefits
16:52 "Benefits of Using Password Managers"
22:21 Creating a HIPAA Release Form
24:43 Independent Patient Advocates: HIPAA Challenges

KEYWORDS
independent patient advocate
client-funded advocacy
patient advocacy business
medical billing advocate
healthcare advocacy training
advocacy pricing
advocacy marketing
patient advocate CEO