A federal cybersecurity bill under consideration could burden small businesses, including dental practices, according to a Dec. 6 news release from the American Dental Association.
Here are six things to know:
1.If passed, the Health Infrastructure Security and Accountability Act of 2024 would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to create a set of minimum cybersecurity standards for health care providers, health plans, clearinghouses and business associates.
2. The ADA supports enhanced security measures, but only if dentists and dental practices are given enough time to comply with the updates.
3. Section 102 of the bill would require annual independent cybersecurity audits and stress testing for covered entities and associates.
4. In a letter to Congress, the ADA urged that any measure that includes audits and stress testing to explicitly exempt small practices.
5. The ADA also pushed for federal funding to help offset implementation costs for dental practices.
6. The organization acknowledged that cybersecurity is crucial for the healthcare industry, but said that dental practices could have difficulties complying with new regulations.