HIPAA Mega-rule Due June 2012

The HIPAA mega-rule has reached its final hurdle and is expected to be released in June 2012.

The mega-rule will include:

• Changes to privacy and security rules the HITECH Act mandates
• Requirements for new enforcement and higher penalties
• Final regulations of HITECH  Act’s breach notification rule
• Changes to HIPAA to incorporate Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

Just as you will have to adjust to the new provisions in the final rule, you will be under increased scrutiny to comply with them. The government is intensifying its enforcement to protect patients’ confidential health information due in large part to the increased number of security breaches that have resulted from the lack of staff training. Practices will have an arduous task incorporating all of the changes to avoid those HIPAA headaches and potential fines. The most proactive practices have begun to update privacy & security policies as well as re-train employees.