App group calls for updated HIPAA guidance to spur innovation

ACT| The App Association, which represents more than 5,000 mobile app players, seeks legislative help to speed innovation and app development for the healthcare sector without sacrificing security and privacy protection.

The group sent a letter to Rep. Tom Marino (R-Pa.) requesting help in driving changes in the regulatory environment for mHealth app development because regulations have not kept up with the growth of mHealth technology.

The association wants existing regulations to be more accessible for tech companies; improved and updated guidance from the Office of Civil Rights on acceptable implementations; and stronger outreach to new entrants in the healthcare industry. The group noted current technical safeguard documentation available at the Department of Health and Human Services' website is significantly outdated.

"Our concern lies in a regulatory environment that has not kept pace with the rapid growth of technology that gives users greater access to healthcare providers and more control over their health information," the letter read. "The app marketplace didn’t exist seven years ago, but has since grown into a $68 billion industry."

Rather than confusing language published in the Federal Register, the group said HHS should provide HIPAA information "in a manner that is accessible and useful to the community who needs it. The agency should draft new FAQs that directly address mobile developer concerns."

Further, "HHS and OCR must update the 'Security Rule Guidance Material' and provide better guidance with regards to mobile implementations and standards." The group cited a document covering remote use that was last updated in December 2006.

The federal government also could do more to encourage new entrants in the healthcare space, the group wrote, calling for expanded outreach to newly forming health technology communities.

Read the complete letter.