The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from the public on ways to modify the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). OCR intends to use the public’s comments to remove regulatory obstacles and decrease regulatory burdens in order to facilitate efficient care coordination and case management to promote value-based health care while preserving the privacy and security of protected health information.
Covered entities and business associates often defer thorough HIPAA compliance due to the onerous requirements and/or limited administrative resources required to develop and enforce a comprehensive policy and procedure manual. However, this places these companies at significant risk. OCR’s HIPAA enforcement has, and will likely continue, to rise.
This proposal offers providers an opportunity for physicians, hospitals and healthcare stakeholders to submit feedback to OCR highlighting certain obstacles they may face due to HIPAA regulations that do not meaningfully contribute to the privacy and security of protected health information.
The deadline for the comment period ends February 12, 2019. If you are a healthcare stakeholder and would like to participate, contact Frier Levitt Government Affairs today. We have several strategies to help you or your organization engage in this process and have your voice heard.