Another HIPAA right of access settlement from OCR highlights need for timely response

The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has settled with Dr. Peter Wrobel and his practice Elite Primary Care for $36,000 over a potential violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The case stems from a patient’s request for access to their medical records, which was not initially fulfilled. OCR has been focusing on enforcing patient access to medical records and has collected numerous settlements ranging from $3,500 to $70,000. OCR has also proposed changes to the HIPAA Privacy Rule to improve patient access.