A major shift in healthcare security is on the horizon. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plan on updating the HIPAA Security Rule for the first time in nearly 20 years. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is moving from optional to mandatory for all systems handling electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI).

The final rule is expected in late 2025 or early 2026, with a 180-day grace period for compliance. This applies to all ePHI systems, including EHR platforms, cloud services, and third-party portals, covering both internal and remote access.

The goal isn’t just compliance—it’s authentication that works for clinicians while improving security. On paper, MFA is simple. In reality, hospitals can be tricky environments due to:

• Shared workstations: Clinicians move constantly between stations.
• Phone restrictions: SMS or app-based codes aren’t always an option.
• Cleanroom PPE: Fingerprint and facial recognition can fail.
• Time pressure: Every second counts; delays can affect patient care.
  

How Hospitals Can Prepare

The HIPAA mandate change is on the horizon, if you wait for it to come into effect to begin preparation, you’re already behind. Begin preparing for the increase in security requirements with the following: 

• Phased rollout: Focus on high-friction areas like EHR access for quick integration wins.
• Get the right technology: Choose authentication that balances security, usability, and compliance.
• Treat IAM like clinical infrastructure: Reduce login delays to improve care and clinician satisfaction. Continuous Authentication offers invisible protection without slowing workflows.
• Measure impact: Track how MFA affects care delivery and security outcomes. Eliminating repeated logins can save clinicians thousands of hours across the organization while reducing phishing risks and help desk burden.

HIPAA rules are still evolving, but proactive planning can future-proof your organization. Tx Systems stays ahead of every update to the HIPAA MFA mandate, ensuring hospitals have the guidance and tools they need to stay compliant. Our solutions are designed specifically for the unique challenges of the hospital environment, from shared workstations to time-sensitive clinical workflows. By partnering with Tx Systems, healthcare organizations can implement secure, user-friendly authentication that protects patient data, supports clinicians, and keeps operations running smoothly as regulations evolve. Get guidance and federally compliant MFA solutions to keep your network secure and ready for any regulation changes. Contact Us Form, MFA@txsystems.com, (858) 622-2004