HHS to enact stricter rules to protect patient privacy of substance use disorder records

The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed new rules to safeguard the privacy of substance use disorder patients’ records. The revisions aim to facilitate health information exchange and address privacy concerns, allowing patients to benefit from integrated healthcare models without fear of inappropriate sharing of their records. The proposal reflects the changing healthcare landscape and the development of electronic infrastructure. Public comments on the proposal are open until April 11th.