“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today launched an array of new tools and initiatives in response to the opioid crisis, while implementing the 21st Century Cures Act …”
Highlights of these actions include:
“Two new HIPAA webpages focused on information related to mental and behavioral health, one for professionals and another for consumers…”
“New collaboration with partner agencies within HHS to identify and develop model programs and materials for training healthcare providers, patients, and their families regarding permitted uses and disclosures of the protected health information of patients seeking or undergoing mental health or substance use disorder treatment, and to develop a plan to share the programs and materials with professionals and consumers…”
“Launch of a working group to study and report on the uses and disclosures under HIPAA of protected health information for research purposes. The working group will include representatives from relevant federal agencies as well as researchers, patients, healthcare providers, and experts in healthcare …”
Source: HHS highlights Office for Civil Rights’ ongoing response to the opioid crisis, while implementing the 21st Century Cures Act, December 18, 2017. HHS.gov. Read the full release here.
