Agencies Look Back at 2020 Accomplishments
HHS and its agencies share their annual reports and 2020 year in reviews. Like everything in healthcare in 2020, COVID took center stage, but agencies did continue their missions and initiatives.
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OCR Issues Audit Report on Health Care Industry Compliance with the HIPAA Rules
The Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its 2016-2017 HIPAA Audits Industry Report that reviewed selected health care entities and business associates for compliance with certain provisions of the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules.
OCR Issues Guidance on HIPAA, HIEs, and Disclosures of Protected Health Information
The Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of HHS issued guidance on how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 permits covered entities and their business associates to use HIEs to disclose protected health information for the public health activities of a public health authority.
HHS Proposes Modifications to the HIPAA Privacy Rule
The Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces proposed changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule to support individuals’ engagement in their care, remove barriers to coordinated care, and reduce regulatory burdens on the health care industry.
HHS Publishes COVID-19 Hospital Facility-Level Data
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is releasing new hospital COVID-19 capacity data at the facility level. Previously released data about hospital capacity that had been released was aggregated at the state level.
ONC Publishes Federal Health IT Strategic Plan
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the final 2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. The Plan outlines federal health IT goals and objectives, with a focus on individuals’ access to their electronic health information.
Extension on 21st Century Cures Act Compliance Dates Announced
HHS Extends Compliance Dates for Information Blocking and Health IT Certification Requirements in 21st Century Cures Act Final Rule. Responding to public health threats posed by the coronavirus pandemic releases interim final rule with comment period to extend compliance dates.
Right to Access Enforcement Initiative
By Art Gross – In 2019, the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced an initiative that they would make it a priority to enforce an individual’s right to access their health records in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. This falls under the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
HHS Announces Funding for HIEs to Support Public Health Agencies
HHS announced five cooperative agreements to HIEs to help support state and local public health agencies in their efforts to respond to public health emergencies, including disasters and pandemics such as COVID-19.