HIPAA Policies and Procedures: Which Ones You Need

Q: Does HIPAA require written policies and procedures?

Yes. The HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules require covered entities and business associates to implement and maintain written policies and procedures, and to retain that documentation for at least six years.

Q: How many HIPAA policies do I need?

There is no fixed number. You need policies that cover each applicable Privacy Rule and Security Rule standard for your organization — commonly a dozen or more, spanning privacy practices, security safeguards, breach response, and workforce training.

HIPAA requires written policies and procedures — but which ones? This guide lists the core HIPAA policies covered entities and business associates should maintain, and shows how to generate them for your practice in minutes.

Does HIPAA require written policies?

Yes. Both the Privacy Rule and the Security Rule require documented policies and procedures, and you must keep that documentation for at least six years. Policies aren't just a formality — they're the evidence auditors and investigators ask for first.

Core HIPAA privacy policies

Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)
Uses and disclosures of PHI (including minimum necessary)
Patient rights: access, amendment, and accounting of disclosures
Complaint handling and non-retaliation
Workforce privacy training and sanctions

Core HIPAA security policies

Risk analysis and risk management
Access control and unique user identification
Audit controls and information system activity review
Device and media controls
Contingency planning (backup, disaster recovery, emergency mode)
Encryption and transmission security

Breach and vendor policies

Breach notification and incident response
Business Associate Agreement (BAA) management

Generate HIPAA policies in minutes

Wardably creates ready-to-use HIPAA policies personalized to your organization — Privacy, Security, Breach Notification and more — and stores them as compliance evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes. The Privacy and Security Rules require written policies and procedures, retained for at least six years.

There's no fixed number — you need policies covering each applicable Privacy and Security Rule standard, commonly a dozen or more.

Related HIPAA guides

This guide is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your organization.