February 2020 Bulletin: HIPAA Privacy & Novel Coronavirus

In February 2020, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released guidance for provider organizations regarding HIPAA privacy and the novel coronavirus. OCR is providing the bulletin to ensure that HIPAA covered entities and their business associates are aware of the ways that individuals' information may be shared under the HIPAA Privacy Rule in an outbreak of infectious disease or other emergency situation, and to serve as a reminder that the protections of the Privacy Rule are not set aside during an emergency. The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects the privacy of individuals . . .