Health Data: Privacy, Patient Access, Interoperability, and Information Blocking
Overview
Health data is at the core of health care delivery and payment, is key for leveraging innovative digital health technology, and is needed for research to advance health care improvements. Federal and state data laws and policies historically have addressed health data privacy, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations. While these rules continue to be important, there are new laws and policies that have attempted to balance patient privacy with access to data for important purposes, including patient access to data.
Insights
Client Alert | 2 min read | 04.24.24
FTC Continues Focus on Tracking Technologies and Personal Health Data
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently entered into a settlement with Monument, Inc., an alcohol addiction treatment service, for allegedly disclosing users’ personal health data to third-party advertising platforms without consumer consent and violating their own website claims to consumers with respect to the disclosure of such data. The action follows other settlements by the FTC focused on tracking technologies collecting sensitive health information through web pages and web portals. “This action continues the FTC’s work to ensure strict limits on how firms handle sensitive health data, rather than putting the onus on consumers to protect themselves,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Following on the heels of actions against GoodRx, BetterHelp, and Premom, the market should be getting the message that consumer health data should be handled with extreme caution.”
Client Alert | 8 min read | 03.13.24
HHS Finalizes Significant Modifications Aligning Part 2 Regulations with HIPAA
Client Alert | 5 min read | 03.08.23
FTC Enforcement Against Sharing Consumer Health Information Continues
Client Alert | 6 min read | 02.23.23
Insights
Client Alert | 2 min read | 04.24.24
FTC Continues Focus on Tracking Technologies and Personal Health Data
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently entered into a settlement with Monument, Inc., an alcohol addiction treatment service, for allegedly disclosing users’ personal health data to third-party advertising platforms without consumer consent and violating their own website claims to consumers with respect to the disclosure of such data. The action follows other settlements by the FTC focused on tracking technologies collecting sensitive health information through web pages and web portals. “This action continues the FTC’s work to ensure strict limits on how firms handle sensitive health data, rather than putting the onus on consumers to protect themselves,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Following on the heels of actions against GoodRx, BetterHelp, and Premom, the market should be getting the message that consumer health data should be handled with extreme caution.”
Client Alert | 8 min read | 03.13.24
HHS Finalizes Significant Modifications Aligning Part 2 Regulations with HIPAA
Client Alert | 5 min read | 03.08.23
FTC Enforcement Against Sharing Consumer Health Information Continues
Client Alert | 6 min read | 02.23.23