[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":1739,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"With Hurricane Florence making landfall, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has waived sanctions and penalties under certain provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

While the HIPAA Privacy Rule is not suspended during a public health or other emergency, the HHS Secretary may waive certain provisions of the rule under the Project Bioshield Act of 2004 of the Social Security Act.

Azar\u2019s waiver, part of his declaration of a public health emergency in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, applies to provisions that generally require covered hospitals to give patients the opportunity to agree or object to sharing information with family members or friends involved in their care.

\u201cThis waiver applies only to the emergency area and for the emergency period identified in the (public health emergency) declaration and only to hospitals that have instituted a disaster protocol,\u201d states the HHS announcement. \u201cQualifying hospitals can take advantage of the waiver for up to 72 hours from the time the hospital implements its disaster protocol unless the PHE declaration terminates first.\u201d

At the same time, the agency points out that even without a waiver the HIPAA Privacy Rule \u201callows patient information to be shared to assist in disaster relief efforts and to assist patients in receiving the care they need.\u201d

Also See<\/b>: HHS offers hurricane guidance to healthcare facilities<\/a>

\u201cHHS is committed to leaving no one behind during disasters, and this guidance<\/a> is designed to help emergency responders and health and human service providers meet that goal,\u201d says Roger Severino, director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights. \u201cOCR also provides technical assistance on HIPAA and civil rights to emergency responders and hospitals so they feel empowered to help people and families in crisis.\u201d","saveContent":"With Hurricane Florence making landfall, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has waived sanctions and penalties under certain provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Rule.

While the HIPAA Privacy Rule is not suspended during a public health or other emergency, the HHS Secretary may waive certain provisions of the rule under the Project Bioshield Act of 2004 of the Social Security Act.

Azar\u2019s waiver, part of his declaration of a public health emergency in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, applies to provisions that generally require covered hospitals to give patients the opportunity to agree or object to sharing information with family members or friends involved in their care.

\u201cThis waiver applies only to the emergency area and for the emergency period identified in the (public health emergency) declaration and only to hospitals that have instituted a disaster protocol,\u201d states the HHS announcement. \u201cQualifying hospitals can take advantage of the waiver for up to 72 hours from the time the hospital implements its disaster protocol unless the PHE declaration terminates first.\u201d

At the same time, the agency points out that even without a waiver the HIPAA Privacy Rule \u201callows patient information to be shared to assist in disaster relief efforts and to assist patients in receiving the care they need.\u201d

Also See<\/b>: HHS offers hurricane guidance to healthcare facilities<\/a>

\u201cHHS is committed to leaving no one behind during disasters, and this guidance<\/a> is designed to help emergency responders and health and human service providers meet that goal,\u201d says Roger Severino, director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights. \u201cOCR also provides technical assistance on HIPAA and civil rights to emergency responders and hospitals so they feel empowered to help people and families in crisis.\u201d","order":0,"get_parent":{},"attributes":[],"attributesType":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"dynamicContent":""}]

HHS issues HIPAA waiver for covered hospitals in wake of Hurricane Florence

More for you