As 2025 comes to a close, now is the perfect time to take a few simple, proactive steps to ensure your compliance program starts 2026 on solid footing. In this episode of the podcast, we share three manageable action items that can help you build early momentum for the year ahead.
1. Wrap up HIPAA breach 2025 reporting
If your organization experienced any HIPAA breaches in 2025 affecting fewer than 500 individuals, those incidents must be reported to HHS no later than 60 days after the end of the year. Now is the time to review whether any breaches occurred, confirm whether or not they were reported, and assign responsibility for submitting any outstanding reports. While patient notification often happens promptly, annual reporting to HHS is sometimes overlooked – especially for small breaches. Don’t let that happen as you head into the new year.
2. Take stock of your 2025 Compliance Work Plan
With the year winding down, review what remains unfinished on your current compliance work plan. Break each outstanding item into specific tasks, assign responsibility for each, and set realistic timelines. Even if some items extend into early 2026, having them clearly defined and scheduled will prevent them from stalling and will give your new year a strong, organized start.
3. Prepare for compliance impact of a potential rise in uninsured patients
With enhanced ACA subsidies set to expire unless Congress acts, many organizations may see an increase in uninsured or underinsured patients. That shift could trigger new compliance challenges related to good faith estimates, financial assistance and charity care policies, and non-traditional insurance arrangements. Now is a smart time to begin internal discussions about how these changes could affect your operations and what steps you need to take to stay compliant.
Taking these three steps now can position your compliance team for a productive 2026.
Related episodes:
Ep. 47 – Make Your HIPAA Security Program Dynamic
Ep. 71 – Good Faith Estimates for Uninsured and Self-Pay Patients
Ep. 82 – Creating a Compliance Program from Scratch
