PPACA Impact and Opportunities : Health Care Lawyer & Attorney : Epstein Becker Green Law Firm : Insurance & Costs : Health Reform Musings Blog

Our colleagues at Epstein Becker Green have issued a client alert: "HIPAA Omnibus Rule's Impact on Notices of Privacy Practices," by Patricia M. Wagner, Brandon C. Ge, and Alaap B. Shah.

Following is an excerpt:

This health reform alert summarizes the key changes to the Notice of Privacy Practices ("NPP") requirements in the revised Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") regulations (the "Omnibus Rule") as well as what covered entities need to do to be compliant. Because many covered entities may have modified their NPPs based on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued on July 14, 2010 ("NPRM"), this alert also details the similarities and differences between the NPRM and the Omnibus Rule related to NPPs. In addition, Table 1 of this alert provides a quick summary of the NPRM proposals adopted—or not adopted—by the Omnibus Rule.

As covered entities work toward compliance, they should keep in mind that the Omnibus Rule becomes effective on March 26, 2013, but the deadline for compliance is September 23, 2013.

Read the full alert here.

Our colleagues at Epstein Becker Green have issued a client alert: "U.S. Supreme Court Opinion Addresses Availability of State-Action Antitrust Immunity," by Patricia M. Wagner, Ross K. Friedberg, and Daniel C. Fundakowski.

Following is an excerpt:

On February 19, 2013, in FTC v. Phoebe Putney Health System, Inc., a case that highlights vigorous enforcement activities by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) in the health care arena, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a unanimous opinion (“Opinion”) that overturned a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and limited the invocation of the state-action doctrine where state laws grant government authorities general corporate powers. This new decision supports the FTC’s position that it has the authority to pursue a challenge to the hospital acquisition at issue in the case. Although the Opinion addressed the specific legislative powers granted to a hospital authority under state legislation, the Opinion will likely impact judicial interpretation of other state legislation that purports to provide parties with immunity from the federal antitrust laws, such as state hospital cooperation acts, and similar types of legislation being created to allow cooperation and integration of hospital and provider systems.

Read the full alert here.

Our colleagues Mark E. Lutes, Robert J. Hudock, and Patricia M. Wagner have issued an alert on modifications to the HIPAA privacy, security, and enforcement rules. Following is an excerpt:

On January 17, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services released the highly anticipated, 563 page, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) regulations (the “Final Rule”) that have been delayed for over 3 years. The Final Rule will be published in the Federal Register on January 25, 2013. The Final Rule addresses many of the compliance issues and unanswered questions facing covered entities and business associates. The effective date of the Final Rule is March 26, 2013--with a compliance date (for most provisions) by September 23, 2013 (there is an additional grace period for certain provisions). Epstein Becker Green is preparing an in-depth analysis of the Final Rule which will be forthcoming. In the meantime, below is a high level summary of the significant changes included in the Final Rule.  Read the full alert here.

Note that Ms. Wagner and Mr. Hudock will host a free webinar on this topic, titled "The Final Omnibus HIPAA Rule," on January 24, at 12:00 p.m. EST.