How long are companies required by regulation to keep HIPAA data?

Companies are required by regulation to keep HIPAA data for six years from the date of their creation or the date when they were last in effect. This regulation stems from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule and ensures that covered entities maintain a comprehensive record of protected health information (PHI) and any disclosures made about that information during that time frame.

This six-year retention period is crucial for facilitating any compliance audits and for the protection of patient rights, allowing individuals to access their health information and hold covered entities accountable for the management of their health data. The requirement underscores the importance of maintaining proper documentation while balancing it with the need for patient privacy and security.