OCR News Releases & Bulletins
OCR signs Memorandums of Understanding with DOJ, EEOC and OPM - 1/19/2017
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.
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.
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
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HHS and DOJ Issue Disability Rights Technical Assistance on Child Welfare - 8/10/2015
Arizona Agrees to Improve Immigrant Access to Federal Public Benefits Programs -07/16/15
Brooklyn Hospital Center Implements Non-Discriminatory Practices to Ensure Equal Care for Transgender Patients - 07/14/15
HIPAA Settlement Highlights Importance of Safeguards When Using Internet Applications - 7/10/2015
OCR signs Effective Communication Dear Colleague letter with Puerto Rico Hospital Association - 06/09/15
HIPAA Settlement Highlights the Continuing Importance of Secure Disposal of Paper Medical Records - 4/30/2015
NEW Guidance on HIPAA and Workplace Wellness Programs - 4/16/15
Version 2.0 of the Guide to Privacy and Security of Electronic Health Information released. 4/13/2015
OCR and DOJ find discrimination against persons who are deaf and hard-of-hearing in Connecticut Hospital - 3/20/2015
Michigan Medical Care Facility Commits to Race Non-Discrimination in Staff Assignments -02/13/2015
OCR and DOJ find disability discrimination in Mass. child welfare -01/29/15