decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2013 Issue 1 (January)
New penalty system, electronic PHI protection rules top ‘mega-rule’ changes
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Article Overview
This article summarizes broad HIPAA omnibus rule changes that affect privacy and security compliance, electronic storage and access to protected health information, notice of privacy practices updates, marketing and disclosure limits, and enforcement penalties. It is relevant to providers, practice managers, compliance staff, and other healthcare organizations that handle patient information and need to understand how the rule changes alter operational and documentation requirements.
Why This Topic Matters
The rule changes affect how healthcare organizations protect, disclose, store, and access patient information, and they also change penalty exposure for HIPAA violations. Practices that manage records, privacy notices, or compliance policies need to understand the scope of the updates to reduce risk.
Article Sections
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Penalty system and enforcement
Summarizes the rule’s changes to HIPAA enforcement, including how violations are evaluated and how penalties may be determined.
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Electronic storage and office devices
Covers privacy and security considerations for information stored on office equipment and other devices used in daily operations.
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Notice of privacy practices updates
Describes revisions to required privacy notice language and when notices may need to be reissued.
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Genetic information and underwriting
Addresses rule changes tied to genetic information and health plan underwriting under federal nondiscrimination policy.
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Marketing, sales, and patient access
Reviews additional restrictions on use of protected health information and expanded patient access to electronic records.
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Information after death and postmortem applicability
Explains changes affecting disclosures about deceased patients and the time period during which HIPAA provisions continue to apply.
What You Will Learn
- How the HIPAA omnibus rule broadens privacy and security obligations
- What types of operational areas are affected by the updated rule
- Why documentation and policy maintenance matter for compliance
- Which categories of patient information handling received new restrictions or clarifications
- How the article frames the rule’s impact on healthcare organizations and practices
Who Should Read This
- Physician practices
- Healthcare administrators
- Compliance officers
- Privacy and security staff
- Health information management professionals
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