HIPAA Compliance and Protecting Patient's Rights During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Gain and understanding on changes made to HIPAA rules, and how to stay compliant through this pandemic.

In ordinary times, HIPAA provides a variety of protections to the privacy and security of health information. These are not ordinary times, but the HIPAA rules still exist and they still apply. The big (temporary) change, however, is that certain elements of the HIPAA rules have effectively been relaxed through Office for Civil Rights' Notifications of Enforcement Discretion and the COVID legislation. In addition, expansion of telehealth and the new reality of teleworking raise privacy and security concerns. And, unfortunately, there are bad actors actively taking advantage of the relaxation of HIPAA. This topic will discuss what HIPAA rules continue to apply in full, which rules have been modified, and which rules have effectively been suspended for the duration of the pandemic situation. It will also discuss privacy and security safeguards related to telehealth and teleworking, and current cyber security threats present during this pandemic period. This information will help covered entities and business entities understand how to facilitate care in the midst of the pandemic while also protecting the privacy and security of protected health information in these extraordinary times.

Faculty

Nathan A. Kottkamp

Williams Mullen

Beth Pitman

Holland & Knight, LLP