HHS seeks feedback from entities in HIPAA audit program

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking feedback from entities on their involvement in a 2012 Office of Civil Rights HIPAA audit program. Survey results will inform the HHS as it embarks on a permanent program, as required by the HITECH Act.

A March 19 Federal Register notice requested feedback n the agency’s intent to conduct an online survey of 115 health plans, healthcare clearinghouses and healthcare providers audited in the program. The survey would:

• ask entities to measure the program’s effectiveness;
• gauge attitudes about the program and its features (document requests, communications received, the on-site visit, audit-report findings and recommendations);
• obtain estimates of incurred costs, both in time and money;
• seek feedback on the program’s impact on day-to-day business operations; and
• assess whether the program led to improvements in HIPAA compliance.

In particular, the notice requests comment from the public regarding to the burden estimate of the proposed surveys. A copy of the notice is here.