How to stay protected while using AI tools in clinical practice

As artificial intelligence becomes more common in healthcare, one question continues to come up: Is it HIPAA-compliant?

For clinicians, privacy and security are non-negotiable. Patient trust depends on it. And with sensitive health data now flowing through AI-powered tools, it’s more important than ever to understand how these technologies align with HIPAA regulations.

This article explains what HIPAA compliance means in the age of AI, what to look for in an AI scribe or assistant, and how Claio is designed with clinician and patient privacy at its core.

What HIPAA requires

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, sets strict standards for how protected health information (PHI) is stored, transmitted, and accessed. Any tool used to handle PHI must comply with these core requirements:

• Data encryption in transit and at rest

• Access controls that ensure only authorized individuals can view PHI

• Audit trails and logging of data activity

• Secure storage and transmission of all PHI

• Signed Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with vendors

In short, if your AI tool processes or stores patient data, it must follow the same rules as any EHR or practice management software.

What AI compliance really looks like

Not all AI tools are created equal. Here’s what to look for when evaluating whether an AI scribe or assistant is HIPAA-compliant:

1. End-to-end encryption

AI scribes must encrypt all audio, text, and metadata both during and after processing. Without this, PHI may be exposed to breaches or unauthorized access.

2. Onshore data handling

HIPAA regulations often require data to be processed and stored on servers located in the United States or Canada (depending on your region). Be cautious with tools that process data overseas.

3. Clear data ownership policies

Your data should remain yours. Look for AI partners who explicitly state that they do not sell or repurpose your data for training models or third-party use.

4. Ability to sign a BAA

If a company cannot or will not sign a Business Associate Agreement, that’s a red flag. A BAA is required for any vendor handling PHI on your behalf.

5. Audit trails and control

You should be able to review when and how your data is accessed. HIPAA-compliant tools provide visibility and logs to support your record-keeping and risk management.

How Claio handles HIPAA compliance

At Claio, we understand that trust begins with security. That’s why we built our platform to meet and exceed HIPAA requirements:

• All data is encrypted at rest and in transit using industry-standard protocols.

• We only use secure, compliant servers located in trusted data centers.

• We sign BAAs with all enterprise and clinical users who require them.

• We never sell, share, or reuse your data for training or marketing.

• Your notes are under your control and can be edited, deleted, or exported at any time.

We’ve also designed Claio to be simple to use while keeping security best practices in place—no need to compromise on ease of use for peace of mind.

What this means for your practice

Using AI in clinical settings doesn’t mean sacrificing security. In fact, with the right tools, you can improve efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and compliance.

As AI continues to evolve, choosing partners who prioritize patient protection will help ensure your practice stays ahead—without taking unnecessary risks.

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