Brief: Office for Civil Rights (OCR) comes out swinging in 2017

Why This Topic Matters

OCR enforcement actions and guidance can affect how organizations manage breach reporting, privacy practices, and security oversight. Readers who follow HIPAA compliance trends will want to know about the agency’s recent settlements and newly issued educational materials.

Article Sections

1. OCR enforcement activity and settlements

   Summarizes recent federal enforcement activity under HIPAA, including settlement actions and the general compliance issues involved. The section focuses on OCR’s early 2017 actions and their relevance to privacy and security oversight.

2. Guidance and fact sheets issued by OCR

   Describes the agency’s educational materials and guidance topics released alongside the enforcement actions. The section addresses HIPAA privacy and security subject areas covered by the agency for covered entities and related stakeholders.