M. Scott Koller

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OCR to Increase Efforts to Investigate Breaches Affecting Fewer Than 500 Individuals

Photo of M. Scott KollerBy M. Scott Koller on Posted in Uncategorized
The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is the federal agency tasked with investigating data breaches involving protected health information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The mere mention of an OCR investigation can strike fear into the hearts of HIPAA privacy officers and health care … Continue Reading

A Closer Look at the OCR’s Guidance on Ransomware

Photo of M. Scott KollerBy M. Scott Koller on Posted in Uncategorized
In the wake of several high-profile ransomware infections targeting hospitals and health care organizations, the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued guidance on the growing threat of ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that denies access to systems and data. It uses strong cryptography to encrypt files … Continue Reading

HHS Provides Guidance on HIPAA Privacy in Emergency Situations Such as Ebola

Photo of Lynn SessionsPhoto of M. Scott KollerBy Lynn Sessions and M. Scott Koller on Posted in Uncategorized
In the wake of the recent Ebola outbreak, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) has issued a guidance on how the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) applies in emergency situations. The guidance attempts to strike a balance between preserving patients’ privacy rights and the need to disseminate information to … Continue Reading
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