Overview:

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office for Civil Rights, has issued significant updates to the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records regulations under 42 CFR Part 2.

This essential webinar provides practice managers, compliance officers, and healthcare professionals with critical insights into these new regulatory requirements and their alignment with existing HIPAA standards. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding through a detailed comparative analysis between the revised Part 2 regulations and established HIPAA privacy protections.

Key Updates in the New Part 2 Rule:

• Patient Consent: Implementation of single consent authorization for future treatment, payment, and healthcare operations disclosures, with permitted redisclosure by HIPAA-covered entities

• Expanded Disclosures: Revised guidelines for information sharing under specific circumstances

• Enforcement Alignment: Replacement of criminal penalties with HIPAA-consistent civil and criminal enforcement mechanisms

• Breach Notification: Extension of HIPAA Breach Notification requirements to Part 2-protected records

• Privacy Notices: Harmonization of Part 2 notice obligations with HIPAA's Notice of Privacy Practices standards

• Safe Harbor Provisions: Liability protections for investigative agencies demonstrating appropriate due diligence in record requests

Webinar Highlights:

• Detailed analysis of January 2024 SAMHSA regulatory updates to 42 CFR Part 2

• Practical scenarios and frequently asked questions regarding substance abuse, mental health, and alcohol treatment records

• Comparative assessment of Part 2 versus HIPAA compliance requirements

• Actionable strategies for information security and proper disclosure protocols

• Guidance for maintaining compliance with evolving SAMHSA regulations

• Expert recommendations for healthcare organizations, business associates, and compliance teams

Why You Should Attend:

The revised 42 CFR Part 2 regulations enhance patient confidentiality protections while facilitating improved care coordination during the ongoing opioid crisis. The 2024 updates modernize these standards, creating greater consistency with HIPAA while preserving robust safeguards for sensitive patient information.

This session will enable you to:

• Master the latest federal regulatory requirements

• Navigate complex compliance challenges effectively

• Strengthen organizational information security practices

• Implement best practices in real-world healthcare scenarios

Who Should Attend:

• Healthcare Practice Managers and Compliance Officers

• Business Associates handling protected health information (including billing services, transcription providers, IT vendors, answering services, medical coders, and legal counsel)

• Physicians and Healthcare Professionals

• Behavioral Health Providers and Treatment Facilities

• Healthcare Administrative and Support Staff