New OCR Guidance on the HIPAA Privacy Rule

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has published new HIPAA Privacy Rule guidance as part of the Department’s Privacy and Security Toolkit to implement The Nationwide Privacy and Security Framework for Electronic Exchange of Individually Identifiable Health Information (Privacy and Security Framework).  The Privacy and Security Framework and Toolkit is designed to establish privacy and security principles for health care stakeholders engaged in the electronic exchange of health information and includes tangible tools to facilitate implementation of these principles.  The new HIPAA Privacy Rule guidance in the Toolkit discusses how the Privacy Rule supports and can facilitate electronic health information exchange in a networked environment.  In addition, the guidance includes documents that address electronic access by an individual to his or her protected health information and how the Privacy Rule may apply to and supports the use of Personal Health Records.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/hit/

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.