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Emails can very easily become intercepted and, as a result, important data can be read and downloaded by third parties. In addition to that, email data can be stolen. On the other hand, faxes use Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which is much more secure.

While data is secure while it's on the machine, that's not always the case. Hackers can't steal the data from the fax machine as they would from an email service. Once the information is sent, however, it's vulnerable. Fax machines don't include encryption technology, which means data is sent and received unprotected.

There are multiple ways to send a fax. Not all of them are HIPAA compliant. If you're using an online efax service, there are certain boxes you need to check. Even a traditional fax machine that uses a landline isn't HIPAA compliant if not used properly.

When sending a fax, include a cover sheet indicating the date and time sent; the recipient's name and fax number; and the sender's name, organization and phone number. The fax cover sheet should NEVER include a patient's name or any other PHI. 2. Include a privacy statement in the fax cover sheet.

HIPAA requires those sensitive documents to be appropriately safeguarded to prevent unauthorized access and viewing. Electronic. You also must keep sensitive electronic documents secure with appropriate technical safeguards.

While an Internet connection can be , online fax services like eFax encrypt documents so that they are kept secure and private in transit. Additional access controls, such as two-factor authentication, ensure that access is restricted to only authorized users in order to prevent misuse or compromise.

eFax makes it easier than ever to safely send sensitive documents in a matter of minutes.

Faxes of confidential information are particularly vulnerable to interception, and in principle confidential, clinical or personal information must not be sent by fax.

Make sure the confidential statement is visible on the cover sheet. Double-check the recipient's contact information to ensure it is correct. Create a unique password for each fax transmission and share it only with the intended recipient. Use encryption when sending sensitive documents via fax.