OCR will ease restrictions on telehealth tech during COVID-19

The HHS Office for Civil Rights will use discretion in enforcing HIPAA-compliance for telehealth communications tools during the COVID-19 pandemic. Covered health care providers can use non-public facing remote communication products, including Apple FaceTime, Facebook Messenger video chat, Google Hangouts video, and Skype. Providers should inform patients of potential privacy risks and enable encryption and privacy modes. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expanded Medicare telehealth coverage during the pandemic.