HHS Releases Final Rule on HIT Changes in HIPAA

HHS released the final rule for changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's Privacy, Enforcement and Breach Notification Rules, which will take effect in March to address health IT-related issues and increase patient protection, according to AAPC.

CMS has increased the penalties for noncompliance, with a maximum penalty for negligence of $1.5 million per violation, and tiered penalties ranging from $100 to $50,000 per violation. The regulatory agency also says the new rule expands individual rights and streamlines individuals' ability to authorize use of their health information, according to the release.

Other changes include:
•    Direct liability for business associates and subcontractors
•    An objective test of whether personal health information has been compromised
•    Looser rules for what can be used for fundraising communications

Click here to view the entire final rule.

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