The HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) recently released Version 2.0 of its Guide to Privacy and Security of Electronic Health Information (Guide)....more
As previously reported, HHS announced earlier this month that it would be providing clarification on the HIPAA Privacy Rule as it relates to marketing and prescription refill reminder programs. On September 19, 2013, HHS...more
The HIPAA Privacy Regulations have long required covered entities to seek a patient authorization in order to use or disclose protected health information ("PHI") for marketing purposes. However, the Office for Civil Rights...more
As we first reported in December 2011, it's a common scenario: A Florida nursing home resident dies, and his or her spouse, surrogate, proxy, or attorney requests the resident's medical records. However, if the nursing home...more
The public's concern about mass shootings spiked following the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December. As the nation searches for ways to prevent future violent acts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...more