Skip to main content
 HHS.gov
 Search
 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
  Search Close
 A-Z Index
 About HHS
Programs & Services
Grants & Contracts
Laws & Regulations
 Home > About > News > OCR Announces Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
 Text Resize  
                                A
                                A
                                A
                            Print
                            Share
 Search News Releases
View 2016 - 1991 archive
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 17, 2020Contact: HHS Press Office202-690-6343media@hhs.govOCR Announces Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health EmergencyToday, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced, effective immediately, that it will exercise its enforcement discretion and will waive potential penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients through everyday communications technologies during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.
This exercise of discretion applies to widely available communications apps, such as FaceTime or Skype, when used in good faith for any telehealth treatment or diagnostic purpose, regardless of whether the telehealth service is directly related to COVID-19.
In support of this action, OCR will be providing further guidance explaining how covered health care providers can use remote video communication products and offer telehealth to patients responsibly.
"We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency," said Roger Severino, OCR Director. "We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including older persons and persons with disabilities," Severino added.
The Notification of Enforcement Discretion on telehealth remote communications may be found at: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html.
The FAQs on telehealth remote communications may be found at: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/telehealth-faqs-508.pdf
For more information on HIPAA and COVID-19, see OCR's February 2020 Bulletin: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/february-2020-hipaa-and-novel-coronavirus.pdf###Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.Last revised: March 26, 2020 Sign Up for News Release UpdatesEnter your email:
Email Subscribe to RSSReceive latest updates Related News ReleasesSecretary Azar Statement on Executive Order Supporting In-Person Schooling
  Trump Administration purchases additional 100 million doses of COVID-19 investigational vaccine from Pfizer
  HHS, DOD collaborate with Merck to continue the development and large-scale manufacturing of investigational COVID-19 treatment Related Blog PostsConfronting Heightened Cybersecurity Threats Amid COVID-19
          Office of Population Affairs (OPA) Celebrating Title X: 1970-2020  
  Title X Family Planning Program Turns 50
          gen-perna-vaccine-blog-160x120  
  “We are ready to distribute vaccines all across America”
 Public Affairs Contacts
HHS Media InformationASPA Press ContactsHHS Agency Press Contacts
**View all**
 Connect With Us
 Sign Up for Email Updates To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your contact information below. Email
 HHS Headquarters U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
						200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
						Washington, D.C. 20201
						Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​
 Contact HHS
                        Careers
                        HHS FAQs
                        Nondiscrimination Notice
 HHS Archive
                        Accessibility
                        Privacy Policy
                        Viewers & Players
 Budget/Performance
                        Guidance Portal 
                        Inspector General
                        EEO/No Fear Act
 FOIA
                        The White House
                        USA.gov


Back to *T*op