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In This Issue

Nondiscrimination Final Rule under the ACA Imposes New Requirements on Hospice Agencies – On May 26, 2016, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Civil Rights (OCR), issued the “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities” final rule, implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Generally, Section 1557 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in health programs or activities. The final rule provides guidance to covered entities regarding their legal obligations under Section 1557 and educates consumers about their rights. With certain exceptions, this rule became effective July 18, 2016. Has your agency taken the necessary steps to ensure compliance?

OSHA’s New Rule Impacts the Health Care Industry – The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a final rule that becomes effective January 1, 2017 requiring healthcare industry employers to electronically submit to OSHA injury and illness data from their OSHA logs. This information will then become publicly available on the OSHA website.

First Ever OCR Settlement of Enforcement Action against HIPAA Business Associate Due to PHI Breach – $650,000 Monetary Resolution Payment – On June 30, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) announced the first HIPAA settlement agreement with a business associate. This follows recent settlements with two HIPAA covered entities under HIPAA due, in large part, to the absence of a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with third-party vendors handling patient Protected Health Information.

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