The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has assigned authority for administering and enforcing the HIPAA Security Rule to its Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
Enforcement had previously been handled by the department's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The move will eliminate duplication and increase efficiencies, according to Secretary of HHS Kathleen Sebelius. OCR has been responsible for enforcing HIPAA's Privacy Rule since 2003.
CMS will continue to retain authority, however, for administering and enforcing the HIPAA Administrative Simplification regulations.
Related Reading
HHS provides health information protection guidance, April 21, 2009
Senate questions HHS nominee on medical imaging, April 17, 2009
Experts urge overhaul of health privacy rule, February 5, 2009
IT users need to demand more from vendors, May 15, 2008
Healthcare facilities vigorously enforce patient privacy, August 27, 2007
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