As the number of U.S. confirmed cases climb, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the US Department of Health and Human Services announced it will exercise its enforcement discretion to permit providers to deliver care to patients through everyday communication technologies during this COVID-19 public health emergency and waive potential HIPAA violations that may be associated with such media.
We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency. We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including older persons and persons with disabilities. – Roger Severino, OCR Director.