HIPAA

May 19, 2020 WPF Statement regarding HHS Secretary’s Section 1135 COVID-19 HIPAA Waiver

This statement discusses a 72-hour “statutory waiver” of 5 basic HIPAA rights (including the right to confidential communications). The waiver is triggered by the Secretary of HHS and applies for a 72-hour period beginning upon implementation of a hospital disaster protocol. This statement discusses this waiver, what it is, what is means, who is impacted, and our recommendations.

April 15, 2020 WPF Statement on the COVID-19 Community Based Testing Sites HIPAA Waiver

In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a HIPAA waiver April 9, 2020 regarding Community Based Testing Sites, which waives enforcement of all HIPAA privacy and security protections and data breach rules from some health care activities affecting COVID-19 testing.  This statement from WPF includes the following information:  
-What are the changes the Community Based Testing Sites HIPAA waiver creates? 
-What are the privacy concerns? 
-WPF recommendations to correct the privacy problems in the Community Based Testing Sites HIPAA waiver  
-Background on HIPAA waivers and a list of all current waivers in force

April 6, 2020 WPF Statement on COVID-19 Business Associate HIPAA Waiver

In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a HIPAA waiver April 2, 2020 regarding Business Associates. The April 2 waiver is consequential and poses significant privacy challenges. This statement from WPF includes the following information:  
-What are the changes to HIPAA the April 2 waiver creates? 
-What are the privacy concerns? 
-WPF recommendations to correct the problems in the April 2, 2020 waiver  

March 18 WPF Statement on COVID-19 Telehealth HIPAA Waiver

In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced some changes in HIPAA practices. This statement from WPF includes the following information:  
-What are the changes to HIPAA during the COVID-19 emergency? 
-What are the privacy concerns? 
-WPF recommendations to ensure patient privacy is protected