OCR News Releases & Bulletins

OCR signs Memorandums of Understanding with DOJ, EEOC and OPM - 1/19/2017

DOJ MOU

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Federal Coordination and Compliance Section (FCS) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to promote interagency coordination and to ensure consistent enforcement of nondiscrimination laws in the child welfare system. This agreement allows HHS OCR and DOJ FCS to share information, refer matters to each other, and coordinate investigations as appropriate.

EEOC MOU

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to promote interagency coordination and to ensure consistent enforcement of nondiscrimination laws with respect to certain employment discrimination complaints. This agreement allows HHS OCR and the EEOC to share information, refer matters to each other, and coordinate investigations as appropriate.

OPM MOU

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to promote interagency coordination and to ensure consistent enforcement of nondiscrimination laws with respect to certain complaints involving the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program. This agreement allows HHS OCR and OPM to share information, refer matters to each other, and coordinate investigations as appropriate.

HIPAA settlement demonstrates importance of implementing safeguards for ePHI - January 18, 2017
Comunicado de prensa (Spanish)

Presence Health agrees to settlement of $475,000 in OCR's first HIPAA enforcement action for lack of timely breach notification - January 9, 2017

HHS OCR and the US Attorney’s Office of Connecticut Enter Agreement with UConn Health to Ensure Effective Communication - January 3, 2017

Erie County of New York State Enters Agreement with HHS OCR to Ensure Availability of Language Assistance Services for Individuals with LEP - December 22, 2016

Guidance for Ensuring Accessibility of Health Programs and Activities offered through Electronic Information Technology – December 21, 2016

UMass settles potential HIPAA violations following malware infection – November 22, 2016

OCR, Department of Justice and the Administration for Children and Families Release Title VI Joint Guidance Letter for Child Welfare Systems – October 19, 2016

$2.14 million HIPAA settlement underscores importance of managing security risk – October 17, 2016

OCR Releases New Guidance on HIPAA and Cloud Computing - October 6, 2016

OCR signs effective communication Dear Colleague Letter with the Health Resources and Services Administration (08/30/2016)

HIPAA settlement illustrates the importance of reviewing and updating, as necessary, business associate agreements – September 23, 2016

Advocate Health Care Settles Potential HIPAA Penalties for $5.55 Million – August 4, 2016

Multiple Alleged HIPAA violations result in $2.75 million settlement with the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) – July 21, 2016

Widespread HIPAA vulnerabilities result in $2.7 million settlement with Oregon Health & Science University - July 18, 2016

OCR issues report on its National HIV/AIDS Compliance Review Initiative – 07/13/2016

Business Associate’s Failure to Safeguard Nursing Home Residents’ PHI Leads to $650,000 HIPAA Settlement – June 29, 2016

HHS Guidance Regarding Patient Safety Work Product and Providers’ External Obligations -June 23, 2016

HHS Guidance and Resources for Long Term Care Facilities – June 23, 2016

Clarification of Permissible Fees for HIPAA Right of Access - Flat Rate Option Up to $6.50 is Not a Cap on All Fees for Copies of PHI - May 23, 2016

HHS finalizes rule to improve health equity under the Affordable Care Act -05/13/2016

Unauthorized Filming for "NY Med" Results in $2.2 Million Settlement with New York Presbyterian Hospital - April 21, 2016

$750,000 settlement highlights the need for HIPAA business associate agreements - April 19, 2016

OCR Launches Phase 2 of HIPAA Audit Program – March 21, 2016

Improper disclosure of research participants’ protected health information results in $3.9 million HIPAA settlement - March 17, 2016

$1.55 million settlement underscores the importance of executing HIPAA business associate agreements - March 16, 2016

New HIPAA Guidance Reiterates Patients’ Right to Access Health Information and Clarifies Appropriate Fees for Copies – February 25, 2016

Addressing Gaps in Cybersecurity: OCR Releases Crosswalk Between HIPAA Security Rule and NIST Cybersecurity Framework - February 24, 2016

Physical therapy provider settles violations that it impermissibly disclosed patient information - February 16, 2016

Administrative Law Judge rules in favor of OCR enforcement, requiring Lincare, Inc. to pay $239,800 - 02/03/2016

Georgia Agrees to Ensure Equal Access for Individuals with Disabilities to Foster and Adoption Programs and Services – 1/11/16

Individuals’ Right Under HIPAA to Access their Health Information - 01/07/2016

OCR Launches Newly Redesigned Website - 01/06/16

Obama Administration Modifies HIPAA to Strengthen the Firearm Background Check System - 01/04/2016

$750,000 HIPAA Settlement Underscores the Need for Organization Wide Risk Analysis - 12/14/2015

HHS Continues to Improve Access for LEP Individuals - 12/1/2015

Triple-S Management Corporation Settles HHS Charges by Agreeing to $3.5 Million HIPAA Settlement - 11/30/2015

HIPAA Settlement Reinforces Lessons for Users of Medical Devices - 11/25/2015

OCR enters Agreement with Three Puerto Rico Hospitals to Ensure Access to Auxiliary Aids and Services - 10/26/15

OCR Invites Developers to Ask Questions about HIPAA Privacy and Security - 10/5/2015

OCR Issues Proposed Rule on Nondiscrimination under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act

Note that the comment period ended at midnight on November 9, 2015. The NPRM is available for review at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=HHS-OCR-2015-0006