If you’re going to serve patients and healthcare providers, they need to trust that their data is safe. HealthBridge, a healthcare payments organization based in Grand Rapids, Michigan is steadfast in their commitment to protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data.
The HealthBridge solution includes a SaaS platform to ease financial stress on patients and health systems for patient payments with a zero-interest, zero-fee patient billing and payment solution.
To maintain the highest security and privacy standards in their operations, HealthBridge decided to pursue HITRUST r2 Certification with A-LIGN.
The challenge: Pursuing HITRUST Certification to fortify security
HealthBridge considered HITRUST Certification for several years before starting the certification process. Their experienced security team always prioritized safeguarding sensitive data, but they decided to bolster their efforts with HITRUST Certification to show key stakeholders their commitment to the highest level of data security, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
HITRUST Certification is widely recognized as the gold standard for healthcare compliance due to its comprehensive and rigorous data security and privacy framework. The HITRUST CSF encompasses a broad range of regulatory requirements tailored to the healthcare industry, making it the perfect assessment for HealthBridge to showcase their commitment to security.
HealthBridge initially engaged a large consulting firm for their HITRUST Certification journey. Unfortunately, the firm fell short of expectations, lacking the audit expertise and framework knowledge required to achieve certification. This experience highlighted HealthBridge’s need to partner with a firm that could offer tailored guidance aligned with their compliance objectives.
The solution: Achieving HITRUST Certification on first try
HealthBridge turned to A-LIGN. HealthBridge was impressed by A-LIGN’s high HITRUST Certification success rate, instilling confidence that A-LIGN had the proper skillset and experience.
Jason Wheeler, VP of Cyber and Network Security at HealthBridge, found the audit and account management teams at A-LIGN to be highly organized, experienced, and knowledgeable throughout the complex certification process. He said A-LIGN’s proactive and detailed approach enhanced HealthBridge’s understanding of the certification process and supported the overall goals of their compliance strategy.
Throughout the audit, HealthBridge focused on not just attaining HITRUST compliance, but also on improving security protocols across their operations. A-LIGN played a pivotal role by identifying gaps to enhance HealthBridge’s security posture, operational policies, process governance, and more.
The HealthBridge team found the collaboration between A-LIGN and HITRUST significantly enhanced the audit process and facilitated alignment with certification requirements. When Jason had a question about control inheritance during QA process, A-LIGN expedited assistance with their direct line of communication to HITRUST, quickly resolving any confusion or issues.
Managing the substantial amount of evidence and documentation required for HITRUST compliance can be a daunting task, but HealthBridge found the workflow management in A-LIGN’s software essential in avoiding this common challenge. A-LIGN’s audit management platform streamlined the evidence upload process and facilitated fluid communication between teams, saving substantial time and effort.
In partnership with A-LIGN, HealthBridge earned HITRUST Certification to reflect their continuous efforts to earn and maintain the trust and confidence of their customers, employees, investors, business partners, regulators, and the public.
About HealthBridge
HealthBridge Financial, Inc. offers a patient payment solution that works for everyone. The HealthBridge Patient Financial Security Program gives healthcare providers the ability to improve revenue and accelerate cash flow while making patient care more accessible, affordable, and equitable. HealthBridge helps patients access care and afford their financial responsibility with a simple monthly statement and consumer-friendly repayment terms, including 0.00% interest for all patients.