Final Omnibus HIPAA Privacy Regulations Published

On January 17, 2013, Health and Human Services (“HHS”) published long-awaited final omnibus regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Affordability Act (“HIPAA”) regarding the privacy of protected health information. The omnibus regulations generally consolidated and finalized prior guidance including requirements under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”), which was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”). The omnibus regulations also provide for some changes and clarifications to prior guidance. Of special note are the additional requirements for business associates, increased penalties for noncompliance, and some expansion of individual rights. To view the HHS news release and the omnibus regulations, go to:

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/administrative/omnibus/index.html