The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released companion interoperability and information blocking final rules that will significantly impact the way in which certain health care providers, health information technology (IT) developers, and health plans share patient information. For a discussion on major provisions of these rules, please read our post on our
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”)
New OCR fact sheet clarifies HIPAA liability for business associates
By Kimberly Gold & Vicki Tankle on
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a fact sheet clarifying violations of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) for which a business associate can be held directly liable. The fact sheet outlines 10 specific circumstances for which OCR has authority to take enforcement…
HHS reexamines prior interpretation of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act’s penalty structure
By Brad Rostolsky, Kimberly Gold & James F. Hennessy on
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) filed a Notice of Enforcement Decision (the “Notice of Enforcement”) on April 26, 2019, confirming the agency’s reconsideration of its prior interpretation of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act’s (the “HITECH Act’s”) penalty structure. Effective immediately, the maximum penalty that the HHS…