Recently announced changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rule represent one of the most significant developments in health care privacy law in the past 10 years. Known as the final omnibus rule, the changes were announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on January 17, 2013, and published in final form in the Federal Register on January 25. The rule greatly enhances patient privacy protections, provides individuals new rights to their health information and strengthens the government’s ability to enforce the law.

Click here to read a recent Client Alert that was published by Proskauer on the new rule.  This alert explores the rule’s provisions and many of the new requirements it imposes on covered entities, business associates, and subcontractors engaged by business associates.