Earlier today we predicted the long-awaited HIPAA-HITECH Omnibus Rule under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH Act) would soon be released–and we were correct! 

Today the U.S. Department for Health & Human Services (HHS) issued a press release announcing the Rule would be as published on 01/25/2013. Click here to view the press release.  HHS believes “the changes in the final rulemaking provide the public with increased protection and control of personal health information”  by expanding requirements for business associates, increasing penalties for non-compliance, and clarifying HHS must be notified of breaches. The Rule expands patient’s rights to access and control use and disclosure of protected health infromation. 

A pre-publication PDF version of the Rule may be viewed here.