Compliancy Group

HIPAA News

HIPAA News

No need to scour the internet to find the information you need to stay current with HIPAA news, we have you covered with our HIPAA news page. Keep up to date on HIPAA news by checking in with us. We will provide you with information on changes to HIPAA law, healthcare breaches, HIPAA violations, and OCR fines. Bookmark the HIPAA news page so you never fall behind on changes to HIPAA.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expects organizations working with protected health information (PHI) to be aware of their obligation to secure the sensitive data. It is no longer acceptable to feign ignorance of the law. This is why it is necessary to be aware of any change that may require you to adjust your HIPAA compliance program.Organizations that fall victim to healthcare breaches, and lack an effective HIPAA compliance program, are subject to HIPAA audits and subsequent fines.

HIPAA fines can be extremely costly and detrimental to your organization’s reputation. Compliancy Group is dedicated to helping organizations avoid healthcare breaches and fines by providing educational resources to aid your compliance.

Recent HIPAA News!

HHS Reaches $80K Settlement for PHI Disclosure to News Outlet

On November 20, 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a settlement with Saint Joseph’s Medical Center. Saint Joseph’s Medical Center agreed to pay $80,000 to resolve an incident that stemmed from the healthcare provider disclosing patient information to a news outlet. St. Joseph’s Exposes Patient Information to a News Reporter During the height [...]

2023-11-20T14:46:00-05:00November 20th, 2023|
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Securing Patient Privacy: iHealth Solutions Resolves HIPAA Probe, Pays $75,000 Settlement to HHS Office for Civil Rights

In a shocking turn of events, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has made an announcement that will send shockwaves through the healthcare industry. iHealth Solutions, LLC, also known as Advantum Health, a Kentucky-based business associate providing coding, billing, and onsite IT services to healthcare providers, has settled potential violations of the HIPAA Security Rule with OCR. [...]

2023-07-24T14:04:38-04:00June 28th, 2023|
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2021 OCR Congress Reports Point to Need for Increased HIPAA Enforcement

In February 2023, the HHS Office for Civil Rights released two reports to Congress, one of which discusses HIPAA complaints (HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rule Compliance) and the other discussing healthcare breaches (Breaches of Unsecured Protected Health Information). Each of these reports examines 2021, reviewing patient complaints and healthcare breaches. Ultimately, these reports point to the need for increased enforcement of [...]

2023-07-25T10:26:52-04:00March 3rd, 2023|
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AI Rising: ChatGPT, Healthcare, and HIPAA Compliance

ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) large language model developed by OpenAI, has been creating a firestorm of attention since being opened to the public for testing in November 2022. Headlines boast that the chatbot has been able to pass exams at law schools and universities. As AI services like ChatGPT develop, potential benefits and problems are also being identified. At least $11 [...]

2023-07-25T11:15:01-04:00January 27th, 2023|
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HIPAA Fines 2022 Review: What We Know and What Lies Ahead

At first glance, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights HIPAA enforcement for the year 2022 appears to be lax. In 2022, OCR entered into 20 resolution agreements with HIPAA-covered entities, and imposed civil monetary penalties on two more. 22 cases total.  The breakdown: four HIPAA Privacy Rule impermissible disclosure cases. 17 right-of-access cases (15 settlements, 2 cases [...]

2023-07-25T13:09:06-04:00December 16th, 2022|
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Another Delay Sought for Cures Act Information Blocking Rule

With an October 6, 2022 deadline looming, a group of hospitals and medical associations is making a last-minute plea for HHS to delay the implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act Information Blocking Rule for one more year. Passed as part of the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, the rule is intended to encourage innovation in medical research and expand patients' [...]

2023-07-26T10:35:48-04:00September 30th, 2022|
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August 2022 Healthcare Breach Report

Each month, we review healthcare breaches to determine the leading cause and how the incidents could have been prevented. We do so by examining the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) online breach portal. The OCR publicly posts healthcare breaches that affected 500 or more individuals to ensure that all affected patients know their information could have been potentially compromised. Business associates had [...]

2023-07-26T10:53:50-04:00September 16th, 2022|
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Prior HIPAA Compliant Telehealth Regulations Set to Return

As the pandemic crisis fades, the Department of Health and Human Services is eliminating many of the flexibilities in HIPAA compliant telehealth regulations it granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency. How We Got Here – HIPAA Compliant Telehealth Regulations The pandemic-fueled lockdowns put a severe strain on the nation’s health system, as those most at risk of infection struggled to receive [...]

2023-07-26T11:36:24-04:00September 12th, 2022|
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OCR Settles New England Dermatology HIPAA Violations for $300,640

Springfield, Massachusetts, is home to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame  - a mere 90-minute ride to Boston. Springfield is also, less famously, the headquarters of New England Dermatology, P.C., d/b/a New England Dermatology and Laser Center (“NEDLC”). This HIPAA covered entity provides treatment for skin, hair, and nail diseases, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. In late August of 2022, [...]

2023-07-26T11:50:11-04:00August 24th, 2022|
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Report: Facebook Tracker Collecting Hospital Patient PHI

Use of Tracker by Hospitals Likely Violates HIPAA An investigation by The Markup and Stat has uncovered a tracking tool used by 33 of the country’s top 100 hospitals that collects patients’ protected health information (PHI) and sends it to Facebook—including details about medical conditions, prescriptions, and physician appointments. Experts contacted in the article, including a former head [...]

2023-07-26T14:32:07-04:00June 17th, 2022|
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