HHS OCR Extends Public Comment Period for the HIPAA Privacy Rule NRPM to May 6, 2021

Today, March 9, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a 45-day extension of the public comment period for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to modify the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. 

OCR first released the NPRM to the public on the HHS website on December 10, 2020, and it was published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2021. The 45-day extension moves the current deadline for the public to submit comments from March 22, 2021, to May 6, 2021. The notice of extension of the comment period is available at https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2021-05021.pdf.

The proposed changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule include 

1. Strengthening individuals’ rights to access their own health information, including electronic information; 
2. Improving information sharing for care coordination and case management for individuals; 
3. Facilitating greater family and caregiver involvement in the care of individuals experiencing emergencies or health crises; 
4. Enhancing flexibilities for disclosures in emergency or threatening circumstances, such as the Opioid and COVID-19 public health emergencies; and 
5. Reducing administrative burdens on HIPAA covered health care providers and health plans, while continuing to protect individuals’ health information privacy interests.

Now is your opportunity to have input on these proposed changes. All comments, from all individuals and all types of entities, will be considered. 

Submit your comments on the NPRM no later than May 6, 2021. 

The NPRM is available for review and comment at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/21/2020-27157/proposed-modifications-to-the-hipaa-privacy-rule-to-support-and-remove-barriers-to-coordinated-care. 

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