HHS announces proposed changes to HIPAA

The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights is currently considering making changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), specifically the Privacy Rule under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Under consideration is an addition that requires that patients have access to a detailed report of who has electronically viewed their personal health information. Currently such reports are available, but a patient’s access to them is not required. The goal is to further ensure that providers are properly safeguarding sensitive health information as well as to continue to protect patients’ rights and interests. The proposed change is open to public comment, and anyone interested is encouraged read the proposed rule as well as submit their comments for consideration.

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