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HITRUST
IN THE USA
Prove your PHI safeguards with a HITRUST CSF certification recognised across US healthcare
Contact Us
HITRUST
IN THE USA
Prove your PHI safeguards with a HITRUST CSF certification recognised across US healthcare
HITRUST
WHAT IS IT?
HITRUST CSF is a certifiable security and privacy framework maintained by HITRUST, an organisation headquartered in Frisco, Texas that was founded in 2007. The framework harmonises requirements drawn from authoritative sources such as HIPAA, the NIST publications and ISO/IEC 27001, mapping them into a single control set so an organisation can address many regulatory and industry obligations through one structured assessment rather than several disconnected audits.
In the United States the framework is widely adopted by hospitals, health systems, payers, and the technology vendors and business associates that create, receive, store or transmit protected health information (PHI). Because HITRUST certification demonstrates that mapped safeguards have been independently validated, it is often requested by covered entities during vendor due diligence and third party risk reviews.
HITRUST in the USA
Achieving HITRUST certification means scoping the systems and data in play, selecting the right assessment type, implementing and documenting the required controls in the MyCSF platform, and then having the work independently validated by a HITRUST authorized external assessor before HITRUST performs its own quality review and issues the certification. It is an evidence heavy exercise: the assessor looks for verbal, written and demonstrated proof that each control is genuinely in place and operating, not merely written into policy.
Univate helps you move through this efficiently. We run a readiness assessment against the applicable HITRUST CSF requirements, help you close gaps in policy, process and technical configuration, assemble the evidence the assessor will expect, and coordinate the engagement with your chosen authorized external assessor so the validated assessment and QA stages run smoothly.
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Experience best in class services by Univate’s CMMI Consultants from GAP Analysis to final assessment and till getting certified
Key Benefits of HITRUST in the USA
Organisations in the USA gain several concrete benefits:
- Vendor trust: A HITRUST certification is widely recognised by US covered entities during third party risk reviews, shortening security questionnaires and vendor onboarding.
- One framework, many obligations: Because HITRUST CSF maps to HIPAA, NIST and ISO/IEC 27001 among others, a single assessment addresses overlapping requirements instead of several separate audits.
- Right sized assurance: The e1, i1 and r2 assessment options let you match the depth of assurance and effort to your risk profile and business needs.
- Independent validation: Validated assessments are performed by a HITRUST authorized external assessor and reviewed by HITRUST, giving your certification credibility with customers and regulators.
- Stronger PHI safeguards: Working to the framework strengthens the practical controls that protect protected health information, reducing the likelihood and impact of a breach.
- Sales enablement: Certification becomes a differentiator in healthcare procurement, where buyers increasingly expect HITRUST as a baseline of security maturity.
How We Deliver HITRUST in the USA
HITRUST offers a tiered portfolio of assessments so organisations can choose a level appropriate to their risk. The e1 (Essentials, 1-year) assessment covers a focused set of foundational controls aimed at baseline cyber hygiene. The i1 (Implemented, 1-year) assessment is a larger, moderate assurance evaluation that includes the e1 controls plus a broader set of leading security practices. The r2 (Risk-based, 2-year) assessment is the most rigorous: its controls are tailored to the organisation through a risk and regulatory analysis drawn from a large control library, so the number of requirements varies by scope.
For a validated and certified result, you implement the applicable controls, then engage a HITRUST authorized external assessor who tests and validates the evidence. HITRUST then performs an independent quality assurance review before issuing the certification. The r2 certification is valid for two years but requires an interim assessment after the first year to confirm controls remain in place, whereas the e1 and i1 certifications carry a one year validity.
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Experience best in class services by Univate’s CMMI Consultants from GAP Analysis to final assessment and till getting certified
What Drives HITRUST Cost and Timeline in the USA
The cost and timeline of a HITRUST engagement depend chiefly on the assessment type you choose, the number of controls in scope, the complexity and number of systems and locations covered, and how mature your existing controls and evidence already are. An e1 is the lightest and fastest, an i1 sits in the middle, and an r2 is the most substantial in both effort and duration because of its risk tailored, larger control set and the additional interim assessment. Separate authorized external assessor fees and HITRUST platform and QA costs also apply. Univate quotes a fixed fee against a clearly defined scope so you know your consulting investment before the project begins.
HITRUST and Compliance in the USA
HITRUST certification is not itself a US law; it is a private sector framework. The underlying legal driver in American healthcare is HIPAA, whose Security and Privacy Rules are enforced by the US Department of Health and Human Services through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR investigates complaints and breaches and can impose penalties on covered entities and business associates that fail to safeguard PHI.
Because HITRUST CSF maps its controls to HIPAA and to widely used standards such as the NIST frameworks and ISO/IEC 27001, certification gives organisations a structured, independently validated way to demonstrate that they have implemented reasonable and appropriate safeguards, supporting their HIPAA compliance posture without replacing the legal obligation itself.
Expert HITRUST Consultation in the USA
Univate Solutions brings hands on experience guiding US healthcare organisations and their technology vendors through HITRUST readiness and certification. We focus on making your controls genuinely defensible in front of an authorized external assessor, not just documented on paper, and we manage the process so your internal teams stay focused on delivery.
Our HITRUST engagements are overseen by Dr Chandan Mohanty, our Executive Director for healthcare quality and accreditation, whose expertise ensures the framework is applied accurately to your environment and that the safeguards you build are both audit ready and operationally sound.
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Univate Solutions – Your Trusted HITRUST Partner in the USA
Choosing Univate means partnering with a GRC consultancy that understands both the technical detail of the HITRUST CSF and the commercial reality of healthcare procurement, where certification can be the difference between winning and losing a contract. We tailor scope to your actual risk, keep the evidence burden manageable, and coordinate cleanly with your chosen authorized external assessor.
From initial readiness through validated assessment and certification, we stay with you as a single accountable partner, so the path to HITRUST certification is predictable, well managed and aligned to your business goals.
Common FAQs on HITRUST in the USA
Is HITRUST the same as HIPAA?
What is the difference between the e1, i1 and r2 assessments?
How long is a HITRUST certification valid?
Who performs the HITRUST assessment?
Do we need HITRUST if we already comply with HIPAA?
How does Univate help with HITRUST?
If you have more questions about HITRUST in the USA then get in touch with our experts today, or email us at info@univateglobal.com for more information.
